The Prescribed Voluntary Prayers for the Pilgrim and the Traveler

Question:
What are the recommended practices (sunnah) that it is desirable for the pilgrim to perform to draw near to Allah in prayer during Hajj? Do these include the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib) and the night prayer (qiyam al-layl), especially during the days in Mina?

Answer:
During the days in Mina, one prays only the obligatory prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray only the obligatory prayers and did not add to them, except for the Fajr prayer, for which he would pray its two recommended units before it. As for the night prayer (tahajjud), there is no harm in performing it at night, whether one is a traveler or not, a pilgrim or not. However, leaving off the other voluntary prayers is better during the days of Hajj, on the Day of 'Arafah, and during the days of Tashriq. Yes.

The presenter: And what about travel, Your Eminence?

The Shaykh: In travel as well, it is better to leave off the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib): the sunnah of Zuhr, Maghrib, 'Isha', and 'Asr, except for the sunnah of Fajr. However, one may pray the Duha prayer; the sunnah of Duha remains in travel. The night prayer (tahajjud) is also permissible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed the Duha prayer while traveling on the Day of the Conquest. The Duha prayer is prescribed in travel and in residence. The Witr prayer is also prescribed, as is the night prayer (tahajjud). Yes, the sunnah of Fajr is also prescribed.

The presenter: May Allah reward you.