Driving Within City and Qasr Salat

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 21 Rabi-u-Thani 1424, 21 June 2003


Q.) I have two questions:

1. A Hafiz saheb teaches at five different places, and each place is less than 48 miles from his house, and also one place to the other is less than 48 miles apart. All of these places are in the next city, which is 5-10 miles from his city. When he reaches home after teaching, he has accumulated approximately 100 miles. Should he pray his salat as Qasr or regular length so during his trip?

2. A taxi cab driver goes to the airport, which is in the next city 5-10 miles from his house, and he doesn't know where his costumer will tell him to go. Sometimes his ride is less than 48 miles, and sometimes it is more, and everyday he has the intension of going far (over 48 miles). So when he prays salat at the airport, should it be Qasr or regular? [Hassan Akram]


A.) 1. If the Hafiz is traveling within the city and does not intend to cover the distance of 48 miles or more away from his city, he will not be considered as a Musafir (traveler).

2. The taxi driver will not be a Musafir at the airport. However, once the taxi driver gets a client who wishes to travel to a place more than 48 miles away from the airport, he will be considered a Musafir. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best