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.
