What is qasr prayer?
Qasr prayer means shortening the four-unit prayers to two units when you travel. Dhuhr, Asr and Isha become 2 rakat each; Fajr (2) and Maghrib (3) stay the same. It applies once your trip reaches the travel distance, roughly 80-89 km (about 50-55 miles) for most scholars, and you start as soon as you leave your town.
Where it comes from
Shortening is a gift from Allah, rooted in the Quran:
The verse goes on to mention fear of attack, so a companion once asked Umar why people still shortened in safe times. Umar had wondered the same, and the Prophet ﷺ told him: "It is an act of charity which Allah has done to you, so accept His charity" (Sahih Muslim 686). Aisha also explained that prayers were first two rakat each; the travel prayer stayed that way, while the prayer at home was lengthened (Sahih al-Bukhari 1090).
How far do I have to travel?
The schools agree on the idea of a fixed distance, but measured it differently in old units. Modern conversions vary, so treat these as estimates:
- Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali: four burud (48 Hashimi miles), usually given as about 80-89 km (50-55 miles).
- Hanafi: a three-day journey at a normal pace, which later Hanafi scholars estimated at around 77-78 km (about 48 miles); some give slightly more.
Some scholars, such as Ibn Taymiyyah, didn't fix a number and said anything people normally call "travel" counts. Most mosques in Europe and the USA use a figure close to 80 km. Daily commutes within your city don't count.
How do I pray it?
Pray Dhuhr, Asr or Isha exactly like Fajr: two rakat, with the tashahhud and salam after the second. Your intention is simply "Dhuhr, shortened". Start once you've left the built-up area of your town, and stop shortening when you're back home. If you pray behind a local imam who prays four, you pray four with him, according to the majority.
Is it required or optional?
- Hanafi: required (wajib); deliberately praying four while traveling is a mistake.
- Maliki: a strongly emphasized sunnah.
- Shafi'i and Hanbali: allowed, and generally better than praying in full.
Shortening is separate from combining (praying two prayers together). You can shorten without combining. For praying on a flight, see Can I pray on a plane? Students moving abroad for a semester should also check when shortening ends. See Can I study abroad as a Muslim?
- Qasr: 4-rakat prayers become 2 on a journey; Fajr and Maghrib don't change.
- Distance: about 80-89 km for the majority, about 77-78 km in Hanafi estimates.
- Start after leaving your town; stop when you're home.
- Hanafis see it as required; others as sunnah or recommended.
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