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
Marja' al-Taqlid (Religious Authority)
The highest religious authority in Shia Islam, whom the believer follows in prayer and legal matters.
Nisf Sha'ban (Mid-Sha'ban)
The 15th of Sha'ban — the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi and a night of forgiveness.
Raf' al-Yadayn (Raising the Hands)
The practice of raising the hands to the shoulders or ears at specific points in the prayer.
Qunut (Supplication with Raised Hands)
A personal supplication (du'a) with raised hands, recited during the prayer.
Hijri (Islamic Calendar)
The Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the Prophet's migration to Medina.
Masjid al-Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque)
The Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina, the second holiest mosque in Islam.