Shortening Prayer When Feeling Relaxed During Travel
The hadith found in Sahih Muslim, narrated by Ya’la ibn Umayyah. He asked Umar ibn al-Khattab about the verse in Surah An-Nisa (4:101): > “When you travel through the land, there is no blame on you if you shorten the prayer, if you fear that those who disbelieve may attack you.” Ya’la questioned why Muslims continue to shorten their prayers during travel even when there is no fear of enemy attack. Umar replied that he had the same concern and asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about it. The Prophet ﷺ responded: > “It is a charity which Allah has bestowed upon you, so accept His charity.” This hadith is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Book 6, Hadith 1016. This narration clarifies that the concession to shorten prayers during travel is a divine gift, not solely contingent upon the presence of danger. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to accept and practice this concession as an act of gratitude and adherence to the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance.