The Book Of Prayer (Kitaab-ul-Salaat)

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has said: “ This is a favour (Sadaqah)
which Allah has bestowed upon you, therefore you must accept His favour.”
It is Essential (Wajib) upon the traveller to reduce the Obligatory Prayers. One who offers 4
Cycles on purpose will be sinning and must repent.
There is no reduction in Sunnah Prayers during travel, and they must be offered in full. It is
reported that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the nonobligatory
Prayers whilst sitting on his mount (Saheeh Bukhari & Saheeh Muslim).
In Islamic law, the traveller is one who has proceeded at least 57.375 miles (92.33 kilometers)
out of his dwelling place, with the intention of travel. Till the time he does not return to his
dwelling place, he must keep offering reduced obligatory Prayers. However, if he intends to stop
at any place for 15 days or more during the journey, he will offer full Prayers at such place –
even if due to some reason he later on stays there for less than 15 days. Likewise if the intention
is to stay at a certain place for less than 15 days but stays on for 15 days or more, the traveller
will offer reduced (Qasr) Prayers at such place.
If a traveller offers Prayers behind a Resident (Muqeem) “ Imaam” , the traveller will offer full
Prayers. However if residents offer their Prayers behind an “ Imaam” who is a traveller, the
“ Imaam” must first inform the followers that he will offer only 2 Cycles (Rakaats). After 2
Cycles, the “ Imaam” will say the Salaam, after which the followers must get up and complete
the remaining two Cycles. However, in the 3 rd and 4 th Cycles, the followers need not recite Surah
alFatehah or any other Surah, and remain silent during the Qiyaam.
Obligatory and Essential Prayers cannot be offered on a moving vehicle. However, if one fears
that the time will lapse, it is better to offer them on time and then later re-offer them. Reduced
Prayers that are missed out / lapsed or improperly offered during journeys should at the time of
re-offering be offered with reduction (Qasr).
CHAPTER 6
THE VOLUNTARY / ADDITIONAL (NAWAFIL) PRAYERS.
Besides the Obligatory and Essential Prayers, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) used to make arrangements for the Voluntary (Nawafil) Prayers too. It is mentioned in the
Hadith that Voluntary Worship is a means of attaining proximity to Allah.
It is better to offer Sunnah and Voluntary Prayers at home – however it is better to offer
Taraweeh, Tahiyat ulMasjid (Prayers offered as a mark of respect upon entering the mosque),
and the Voluntary Prayers upon returning from a journey, in a mosque. If preoccupation or lack