Qasr (Shortened Prayer)
The permission to shorten the four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'ah during travel.
Qasr is the permission to shorten the obligatory prayers from four to two rak'ah during travel. It applies to Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha. Fajr (two rak'ah) and Maghrib (three rak'ah) are not shortened. Allah says in the Quran: "And when you travel in the land, there is no sin upon you to shorten the prayer" (4:101).
The four Sunni schools of law agree on the legitimacy of qasr but disagree on the details. The Hanafi school considers qasr obligatory (wajib) for the traveler, while the other three schools regard it as a concession (rukhsah). The distance requirement varies: approximately 80 km according to the majority. The duration of qasr during a stay at the travel destination also varies between the schools.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) always shortened his prayers during travel. Aisha narrated: "The prayer was first prescribed as two rak'ah, then it was increased for the resident but retained for the traveler" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Qasr is an example of Islam's mercy and flexibility in worship requirements.
Related terms
Nafilah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary extra prayers beyond the five obligatory daily prayers.
Ashura (The Tenth of Muharram)
The tenth day of Muharram, the commemoration of Imam Husayn's martyrdom.
Du'a Tawassul (Supplication of Intercession)
A supplication where one asks Allah through the intercession of the Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt.
Eid al-Ghadir (The Ghadir Festival)
Shia festival commemorating the Prophet's appointment of Imam Ali as his successor.
Masjid al-Aqsa (The Farthest Mosque)
The third holiest mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem, connected to the Prophet's nocturnal journey.
Laylat al-Mi'raj (The Night of Ascension)
The night when Prophet Muhammad journeyed to the heavens and received the gift of prayer.