Prayer While Traveling

 

Question: I am a little confused about prayer whilst travelling. I understand that Zuhr, Asr & Isha Salat should be shortened whilst travelling.

Walaikum assalam,

It is necessary for the traveler to shorten their prayers, when:

a) praying alone;

b) leading others.

When praying in congregation, one prays the number of rakats the imam prayed. [Maraqi]

When one prays in Jamaat (not in the mosque), should the traveller lead the prayer - pray the 2 rakats, and then the followers get up and complete their 4 rakats; or does it not matter whether the traveller reads 2 or 4 (for these shortened salats) whilst travelling & praying in Jamaat (not in the mosque)?

If the imam is a traveler, he must shorten.

The followers who are residents (i.e. non-travellers) must complete their prayers.

Is it allowed (Makruh, Mubah or Mandub) to pray the Zhur/Asr/Isha salats in the mosque whilst travelling, bearing in mind that these should be shortened to 2 whilst travelling?

It is still highly praiseworthy to pray in the mosque.

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani,
Amman, Jordan.

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