Question:

Assalamualaikum ustaz. I’m going on tour overseas for more than three days. Is it permissible for me to perform jamak and qasar for I’ll not be staying at one place for more than a day, furthermore, it will hard to find accommodations or amenities to pray especially for a woman? Only at a place that I’ve planned to stay overnight that I’ll be staying at one place. The second issue, what is meant by two marhalah in calculating the journey from one place to another?

Answer:

Alhamdulillah, praise and gratitude to Allah SWT for His countless blessings for us all. Praise and salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those who follow his footsteps until the Last Day.

Regarding the above question, we state the following:

First, travelling means a person who is on a journey for more than two marhalah. Reside means a person residing in a certain place for more than three days, excluding the days he enters and leaves the place. While inhabitant means a person living in the place.

The duration which is permissible for qasar and jamak for a traveller is three days and three nights, excluding the days he enters and leaves the place. If a person has an intention to stay at one place for 4 days or more, then it is impermissible for him to perform qasar and jamak when he arrives at the place, for he is considered as a resident. As for if he is still on his journey, then there is no limitation as to the number of days and it is permissible to perform qasar and jama’ until he reaches the destination of his travels.

Second, in this issue, the place where one intends to stay overnight as a resident, then he has to perform tamam (complete not qasar) when he is there. However, if he is moving to another place and the journey reaches two marhalah, then the journey to the destination is considered as a new journey and it is permissible to perform qasr and jama’ for that journey.

Third, regarding the distance of two marhalah, according to Syeikh Dr Wahbah al-Zuhaili, two marhalah is equivalent to 88.704km. [2] While Syeikh Muhammad ‘Ali al-Sabuni estimated it to be approximately 82 km or more. [3] Hence, the measurement of two marhalah according to our current unit of measurement is stated by scholars in their books is an approximation. The measurement is more towards taqribi (estimation) and not tahdidi (accuracy).

Let us all reflect on the importance of prayer which is also one of the pillars of Islam. So true are the words of Allah SWT:

وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ

“And when you are among them (in a battle) and lead them in prayer,”

Surah al-Nisa’ (102)

Wallahu a’lam.

[1] See al-Fiqh al-Manhaji, 1/187

[2] See al-Wajiz, 1/266

[3] See al-Fiqh al-Syafie al-Muyassar, pg. 131

[4] See al-Taqrirat al-Sadidah, pg. 315