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
Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque)
The holiest mosque in Islam, located in Mecca, which surrounds the Kaaba.
Adl (God's Justice)
The doctrine of God's absolute justice — the second article of faith in Shia Islam.
Salat al-Jama'ah (Congregational Prayer)
The congregational prayer, where Muslims pray together in rows behind an imam.
Raf' al-Yadayn (Raising the Hands)
The practice of raising the hands to the shoulders or ears at specific points in the prayer.
Akhirah (The Hereafter)
Life after death — the eternal life that prayer prepares the believer for.
Mustahab (Recommended)
Actions that are recommended but not obligatory, and that give extra reward.