بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
22-7-1438
What differentiates the student of knowledge from commoners is his knowledge of the evidence from the Quran and Sunnah. We should memorize these evidences.
We should always renew our intention. You may find two people sitting and performing the same act, but the reward differs because of the level of إحتساب (Hoping for the reward). Our hearts should be awake and aware when performing acts of worship.
The Scholars differed with regards to:
- When one is considered a traveler
- How many days one can shorten for when he has reached his destination
We will not discuss all the opinions, we will just focus on the opinion of Ibn Baz رحمه الله which is:
- If you travel beyond 80 kilometers, you are considered a traveler.
- You shorten the prayer for 4 days. Beyond that, you resume praying normally.
Hadith #341:
When Allah first prescribed the prayer, in the Israa Wal Mi'raj (Night Journey), He prescribed 50 prayers until it was lessened to 5. This shows us the high status of the prayer. The Scholars say that الصلاة ميزان الإيمان (Prayer is a criteria by which you measure the level of your faith)
They used to pray 5 times a day, but 2 Rak'ahs, with the exception of the Maghrib Prayer. They did this for two years, until the Prophet ﷺ emigrated to Madinah, where the prayer was lengthened to 4 Rak'ahs, apart from the Fajr prayer because the recitation in it is long.
She informs us that prayer during traveling was left according to the original prescription of prayer - 2 Rak'ahs.
Hadith #342:
This Hadith is Weak and incorrect. It was the practice of Aisha رضي الله عنها, not the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ never left shortening the prayer while traveling.
Is it better to pray normally when traveling or to shorten the prayer?
Hadith #343:
It is better to shorten the prayer.
Our Religion is complete and suits all people in all their various situations.
Allah said in Surah Al-Mulk [67:2]:
"Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving;"
"أحسن عملا"
Praying 4 Rak'ahs does not mean it is better than praying 2. It is not about the quantity, it is about the quality.
The Distance one is Considered a Traveler
Hadith #344:
One فرسخ is equal to 4 miles. Three فرسخ is equal to 12 miles.
1 mile = 1.5 kilometres
12 miles = 18km
In those days they used to travel on camels. Nowadays this distance is very little, we do not consider the person who crossed that distance a traveler, so we do not shorten the prayer.
Some of the Scholars are of the opinion that you are considered a traveler according to the custom of what people consider a traveler, others say 80km, others say 100km, etc.
The Verdict of Shortening the Prayer: Sunnah
You will be rewarded more if you shorten than if you pray 4 Rak'ahs.
Hadith #345:
Nowadays traveling from Madinah to Makkah takes 4 hours by car. At the time of the Prophet ﷺ it would take 10 days. That is why the Scholars differed if it is considered traveling or not, because the means of traveling have changed and the towns have become bigger.
The Prophet ﷺ shortened while traveling and during his travel.
How many days did the Prophet ﷺ stay in Makkah?
Hadith #346:
The Prophet ﷺ shortened his prayer for his entire stay. Some travel for 4 years in a country - can they shorten their prayer throughout? The Scholars differed.
When can you combine prayers?
Hadith #347, #348, #349:
You can combine the prayer while you are traveling; when you are moving from one place to another.
You join Thuhr + 'Asr and Maghreb + 'Isha. You cannot join Jum'ah and 'Asr Prayer together. The time for both prayers will be one time (I.e. The time for you to combine Thuhr and 'Asr will be from the beginning of Thuhr until the end of 'Asr).
If the Prophet ﷺ travelled before Thuhr, he would delay and combine Thuhr and 'Asr at 'Asr Time.
Hadith #350:
This is a Weak Hadith.
The Prayer of the Sick Person
Hadith #351:
As long as the sick person is conscious, he has to pray.
This Hadith is a rule for every sick person: If you can stand, you have to stand, because it is a pillar of the prayer. If you cannot stand, sit. And if you cannot sit, then while lying on your side.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
إِذَا كَانَ الْعَبْدُ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَشَغَلَهُ عَنْهُ مَرَضٌ أَوْ سَفَرٌ كُتِبَ لَهُ كَصَالِحِ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ وَهُوَ صَحِيحٌ مُقِيمٌ
If a servant performs a good deed, but then is occupied by sickness or travel, it will be written for him as a good deed like he used to do when he was healthy and settled. [Sunan Abu Dawud #3091]
Now while you are healthy and have free time, take advantage of it as much as you can, so it will be written for you when you are sick or travelling. The Prophet ﷺ said,
نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and free time for doing good. [Bukhari]
Hadith #352:
There is no need to put anything in front of you to prostrate on.
Hadith #353:
Comments
Post a Comment