The fourth question states that one of the imams intended to travel, then the time for the night prayer arrived, so he led the congregation in two units of prayer because he considered himself a traveler, and then he concluded the prayer.
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The questioner : The fourth question states that one of the imams was a traveler, meaning he intended to be, because he said he had placed the intention to travel in his heart. Then the time for the night prayer arrived, so he led the congregation in two units of prayer because he considered himself a traveler, and then he concluded the prayer. Afterward, those who prayed with him stood up, and each completed his two units, each individually. Is this prayer valid or not? And when does a person begin to shorten the prayer for the distance at which shortening is obligatory? Is it when he forms the intention, or when he begins the journey? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : This imam’s action is not correct, in our view.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because the dispensations of travel do not begin until the start of the journey. Indeed, Allah the Exalted says:[An-Nisa 4:101] He tied the ruling to the act itself, which is traveling in the earth, and traveling in the earth means journeying.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Accordingly, it is not permissible for a traveler to shorten the prayer as long as he remains in the town, until he leaves it. Even if it is assumed that he has made a firm decision and loaded his luggage into his car, airplane, or ship, as long as he is in the town, it is not permissible for him to shorten.
Likewise, it is not permissible for him to break his fast in Ramadan until he leaves.
Yes, if it is assumed that he traveled by airplane or ship, and the port or airport is outside the town, then he is considered to have left the town. Because if the airport is far from the town, it is not attributed to it. And if the port is not considered part of the town, then he has left the town, so he may shorten as long as he is waiting for the airplane or ship. Yes.
The Shaykh : This imam’s action is not correct, in our view.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because the dispensations of travel do not begin until the start of the journey. Indeed, Allah the Exalted says:
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَقْصُرُوا مِنَ الصَّلاةِThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Accordingly, it is not permissible for a traveler to shorten the prayer as long as he remains in the town, until he leaves it. Even if it is assumed that he has made a firm decision and loaded his luggage into his car, airplane, or ship, as long as he is in the town, it is not permissible for him to shorten.
Likewise, it is not permissible for him to break his fast in Ramadan until he leaves.
Yes, if it is assumed that he traveled by airplane or ship, and the port or airport is outside the town, then he is considered to have left the town. Because if the airport is far from the town, it is not attributed to it. And if the port is not considered part of the town, then he has left the town, so he may shorten as long as he is waiting for the airplane or ship. Yes.