Prayer of the traveler Fatwa No: 87872
- Fatwa Date:2-6-2004
I came to UK to study about four years ago. I hope next year I will finish it. Apart from that I married. Now I have been with my husband for nearly three years. My husband like me is from East Africa. He came here before me.
I have a doubt in praying. I heard that since I have an intention of returning home with my husband, I can pray Salat Safar. Is that true? Please inform me in details if I qualify to pray Salat of the traveler, as student and wife?
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Since you are determined to reside for the purpose of study and stay for this long period, then you have to establish the prayers without shortening them.
Ibn Qudamah said in al-Mughni: 'The correct opinion of Ahmad (Rahimahu Allahu Alaihi) is that the period during which a traveler has to establish the prayers fully without shortening them with the intention of residence is if it (period) exceeds twenty one prayers.' [Reported by al-Athram, and al-Mirwadi and others]
Imam Ahmad also stated 'If a person intends to stay four days he has to pray without shortening. But if he intends to stay less than four days, then he can shorten the prayers. This is also the opinion of Malik, Shafi'e and Abu Thawr.'
Righteous deeds are one means of entering Paradise if they are accepted by Allah, with His Mercy and Grace.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world).}[43:72].
It is reported in Sunan Ibn Majah that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Get nearer to Allah by performing righteous actions and sincerely devoting them to Allah, as nobody can be saved from the torment of Hell just by his actions." They asked: "Not even yourself, O, Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam)?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "Not even myself, unless Allah grants me His Mercy and Grace." Sheikh Al-al Bani classified this Hadith as Sahih, and its meaning is reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad.
Allah knows best.