Ruling On Performing Sunnah During Travel

The ruling regarding the Sunnah Salaah during travel is as follows: For a Sharee Musaafir, the Sunnah Salaah are excused in situations of fear or hardship. In times of peace and stability, however, performing them is considered better, preferable, and a means of attaining reward. It must be noted that the Sunnah Salaah of Fajr holds exceptional importance so much so that it is regarded as nearly compulsory (Waajib) and therefore should not be abandoned, even while traveling. Some scholars and Imams have also stated that the Sunnah of Maghrib Salaah should never be left, as the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمconsistently observed it, both during travel and at home.

Fataawa Shaami states:

Translation: If a traveler is in a state of safety and ease, he should perform the Sunnah Salaah. But if he is in a state of fear or hardship, then he should leave them. This is the preferred opinion, as leaving them in such situations is excused.”- (Fataawa Shaami, Volume 3, Page 202, Book of Salaah, Chapter on the Traveler’s Salaah / Zia-ul-Quran, Lahore)

Fataawa Hindiyyah states:

Translation: There is no shortening (Qasr) in Sunnah Salaah, as mentioned in Muheet-e-Sarakhsi. Some scholars permitted the traveler to omit the Sunnah Salaah. The preferred opinion is that in a state of fear he should not perform them, but in a state of peace and stability, he should perform them. This is also stated in Wajeez of Kardari.” (Fataawa Hindiyyah Volume 1, Page 153, Chapter of Musaafir, Darul Kutbul Ilmiyah, Beirut) Al-Bahrur-Raaʾiq states:

Translation: The preferred opinion is that if a traveler is in a state of safety and stability, he should perform the Sunnah Salaah, as they were prescribed as a completion of the obligatory Salaah, and the traveler too is in need of them. However, if he is in a state of fear, he should not perform them, since omitting them in such a circumstance is excused.”(Al-Bahrur-Raaʾiq, Volume 2, Page 230, Book of Salaah, Chapter of traveller, Darul Kutbul Ilmiyah, Beirut) Bahaar-e-Shariat mentions: “There is no shortening in the Sunnah Salaah; they are to be performed in full. However, a traveler is excused from them in a state of fear or haste, while in times of safety and peace, they should be observed and performed as usual.” (Bahaar-e-Shariat, Part 4, Page 78, Qadri Kitaab Ghar, Bareilly Sharif)

Fataawa Amjadiyah records that when Huzoor Sadrush-Shariah Alaihir Rahma was asked about sunnah Salaah in travel, he Alaihir Rahmah replied: “If a traveler is not in a state of ease and tranquility, there is no objection to omitting the Sunnah Salaah. Even when tranquility is present, the emphasis on performing the Sunnah Salaah during travel is not the same as at home, since travel itself constitutes a form of hardship. This ruling applies to all Sunnah Salaah except those of Fajr. The Sunnah of Fajr, being nearly Waajib (compulsory), should not be omitted due to travel. Some Imams have also stated that the Sunnah of Maghrib Salaah should not be neglected, as the Noble Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم consistently observed them, whether traveling or at home.” (Fataawa Amjadiyah, Volume 1, Page 284, Karachi edition)

In short: During travel, Sunnah Salaah may be excused in cases of fear, haste, or difficulty. In times of safety and ease, performing them is recommended and carries reward. The Sunnah of Fajr Salaah must never be abandoned, even while traveling. According to some scholars, the Sunnah of Maghrib Salaah should also always be observed, following the consistent practice of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.