Hanafi Qasar Namaz Distance
In the Hanafi school, you are considered a traveller once you have left your city’s boundary on a journey intended to be at least 48 miles (77 km) from your residence (majority view).
Fun fact - Why is it 48 miles? This corresponds to the distance covered in an average 3‑day camel journey mentioned in various narrations, and there is acknowledged, valid difference of opinion on the exact distance.
Full Hanafi Traveller Criteria (Musafir)
To qualify as a traveller (and therefore shorten prayers), all three criterions below must apply:
- Leave your city boundary.
- Intend to travel more than 48 miles (77 km) from your residence.
- Plan to stay at the destination for less than 15 full days.
If any of these are not met, you are not considered a traveller, and therefore cannot shorten your prayer.
How to Pray Qasar (Hanafi)
Once you are a traveller, you must shorten the 4‑rak‘ah prayers to 2 rak‘ahs:
- Fajr: 2 -> 2 (unchanged)
- Dhuhr: 4 -> 2 (shortened)
- Asr: 4 -> 2 (shortened)
- Maghrib: 3 -> 3 (unchanged)
- Isha: 4 -> 2 (shortened)
Only prayers that usually have 4 rakats are shortened (to 2 rakats). Other prayers (Fajr and Maghrib) do not change.
Can You Combine Prayers When Travelling (Hanafi)?
Under the most popular Hanafi opinion, you may shorten but you do not combine prayers within a single prayer time. Other views exist - speak to your local imam if you follow a different position.
Real‑Life Worked Examples
Example 1: Long Visit Abroad (Distance & 15‑Day Rule)
Scenario: Ahmed travels from the UK to stay a month with family in Palestine.
Ruling: Because he plans to stay more than 15 full days, he is not a traveller at the destination. He should only shorten during the journey itself and pray normally upon arrival. Combining is not done under the popular Hanafi view.
Example 2: Back Inside Your City Boundary
Scenario: Sumayyah is almost home after a day out. She stops at her local mosque (i.e., inside her city boundary) for ‘Isha. Her brother says they should still pray 2 rak‘ahs because they haven’t physically reached their house yet.
Ruling: Incorrect. As soon as you re‑enter the city boundary of your home, you are no longer a traveller. Pray the full 4 rak‘ahs where applicable.
FAQs About Hanafi Rulings
What is the Hanafi prayer qasr?
In the Hanafi school, qasr refers to shortening the 4-rak‘ah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) to 2 rak‘ahs when you meet the criteria of a traveller.
How many rakats to pray when travelling to Hanafi?
When travelling according to Hanafi rules, you pray 2 rak‘ahs for Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha, while Fajr remains 2 and Maghrib remains 3 rak‘ahs.
How many days qasr Hanafi?
You can perform qasr for up to 15 full days at your destination; if you plan to stay longer, you must pray the full number of rak‘ahs throughout your trip (except on travel days).
How far is the distance for Qasar Namaz in Hanafi?
The minimum distance for qasr in the Hanafi school is 48 miles (77 km) from your residence, provided you have left your city boundary.
What is the ruling on the Qasr prayer?
The ruling is that a traveller who meets the Hanafi criteria must shorten the 4-rak‘ah prayers to 2 rak‘ahs during their journey.
How do you pray when you're traveling?
When travelling, you shorten Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha to 2 rak‘ahs each, while Fajr and Maghrib remain unchanged.
What are the prayers that you can shorten?
Only the 4-rak‘ah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) are shortened to 2 rak‘ahs; Fajr and Maghrib are not shortened.
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