When A Traveller Is in These Situations

If a traveller prays behind a Resident Imam: If a traveller enters a masjid while people are praying, he should pray with them and it is obligatory upon him to complete the prayer and follow the Imam. This is based on the report from Moosaa bin Salamah who said, “We were with Ibn Abbaas in Makkah. Then I said, ‘When we are with you we pray four rak’ah and when we return to our abode, we pray two rak’ah.’ He said, ‘That is the Sunnah of Abul-Qaasim.”[1] Moosaa bin Salamah also said: ‘I asked Ibn Abbaas, ‘How shall I pray if I am in Makkah and I do not pray with the Imam? He replied, ‘Two rak’ah – the Sunnah of Abul-Qaasim.”[2]

Ash-Sha’bee narrated that whenever Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) performed prayer in Makkah, he used to pray two rak’ah except when he prayed behind the Imam, then he would pray according to his prayer.”[3] Naafi’ also reported that Abdullaah bin ‘Umar used to pray four rak’ah behind the Imam in Mina, but if he prayed by himself, he would perform two rak’ah.’ These narrations indicate when a traveller prays behind a resident, it is obligatory upon him to perform four rak’ah according to the consensus of the people of knowledge.[4]

If a traveller catches two rak’ah of Zuhr or ‘Asr with a Resident Imam: If a traveller enters a masjid after the Imam has performed two rak’ah of Zuhr, for example, will the remaining two rak’ah suffice for him since he is required to perform just two rak’ah if he prays alone or does he have to complete the prayer?  

Response: It is obligatory upon him to complete the prayer. This is based on the report from Aboo Mijlaz – his name is Laahiq bin Humayd -  who said: “I said to Ibn ‘Umar, ‘If a traveller catches two rak’ah with the people -  that is, non-travellers – will those two rak’ah suffice for him or does he have to pray according to their prayer? He laughed and said, ‘He prays according to their prayer.”[5] On the basis of this, if a traveller catches one rak’ah or more with a resident Imam, he should complete the prayer because he caught up with the congregation and followed a resident in a portion of his prayer. So it is obligatory upon him to complete the prayer.

If a traveller catches less than a rak’ah with a Resident Imam: However, if a traveller catches less than a rak’ah, such as if he catches up with the Imam in tashahhud, should he complete his prayer or shorten it? Scholars differ with regard to the issue of when should a person be considered to have caught up with the prayer in congregation. Those who said that a person is considered to have caught up with the prayer in congregation if he catches one rak’ah are of the view that if a traveller catches up with his Imam in tashahhud, he should shorten his prayer because he has missed the congregation. He is like one who prayed alone. According Imam Ahmad, Maalik and a group of scholars among the salaf, whoever catches less than a rak’ah should shorten his prayer.

However, those who said that if a person catches the tashahhud, he has caught up with the prayer in congregation  are of the view that this traveller should complete his prayer because he  caught up with the prayer in congregation.[6] The correct view as regards this issue is that a person cannot be considered to have caught up with the prayer in congregation except if he catches up with a rak’ah.[7]

Source: Ahkaam Hudoor al-Masaajid, p 198-200 by Shaykh Abdullaah bin Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)[8]

Is congregational Prayer obligatory upon a traveller?

Shaykh al-Albaanee: If what is intended by congregational prayer is the congregational prayer in the masjid, the answer is no. But if what is meant [by congregational prayer] is that the travellers should pray [in congregation] amongst themselves, then the answer is yes.

Is Jumu’ah prayer obligatory upon a traveller?

Shaykh al-Albaanee: No it is not obligatory. Our evidence that the obligation of congregational prayer in the masjid is lifted from travellers is due to the fact that Jumu’ah prayer is not obligatory upon them and the Jumu’ah prayer is more emphasized than congregational prayer, yet he is not mandated to observe the Jumu’ah prayer along with the Jamaa’ah of the Muslims

Source: al-Haawee min Fataawaa ash-Shaykh al-Albaanee, p. 240 compiled by Aboo Yoosuf Muhammad bin Ibraaheem. Translated by Abdus-Samee' Abdus-Salaam.

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[1] Recorded by Ahmad (3/357) and the chain was graded saheeh in Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel (213)

[2] Recorded by Muslim

[3] Recorded by Ibn Khuzaymah

[4] See al-Mughnee, 3/146

[5] Recorded by al-Bayhaqee (3/157) and its chain is saheeh. See Irwaa al-Ghaleel (3/22)

[6] See Majmoo al-Fataawaa (23/243)

[7] Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘If you come to the prayer and we are in prostration, prostrate and do not count it as (a complete rak’ah). Whoever catches the bowing has caught the prayer.” Saheeh al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer, no. 468

[8] Note: He is different from Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan bin Abdullaah al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)