When Should I Shorten My Prayers?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalamu alaykum

If I go to umrah for fifteen days and stay five days in Makkah then six days in Madinah and then four days in Makkah will I have to shorten my prayers?

Answer:  Walaikum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

In such a case, your would be a traveller (musafir) throughout—and would prayer accordingly. A traveller must shorten (qasr) their prayers when leading or praying alone, while praying in full if the imam prays in full. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

One becomes a resident either in one’s hometown, or when staying somewhere 15 or more days without initiating a full journey (safar). [ibid.]

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And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance Global After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance Global to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He has been repeatedly listed as one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims (The Muslim500).