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Shortening the prayer when traveling without specific destination

29-08-1997

Question 89

When one leaves his/her home town traveling without a specific destination until reaching the distance limit for shortening the prayer (e.g. a shepherd looking for good grazing for his sheep, a picnicker searching for a more suitable place for camping, or one chasing a fugitive) is he/she allowed to shorten prayers?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

According to the majority (of Muslim scholars) one would not be allowed to shorten prayers, since the traveler in such a case has set off without the intention beforehand (and the intention is of significance in Islam). Therefore he/she has not met the condition of being a traveler.
Prayer of the Traveler
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