Question:
Is going on a holiday for fun and recreation with family and friends considered as rukhsah for qasar prayer?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
There are several conditions that should be fulfilled for jamak and qasar to be permissible. Among the conditions stated by scholars are:
- The prayer that is permissible for qasar is only for prayers that are of four rakaat.
- The travel is with a certain purpose.
- The travel is permissible and not for sinful matters or transgressions.
- For a good intention such as for business matters and others.
- The distance of the travel is two marhalah or 82 kilometres.
- He must pass the state or area of his residence.
- Have knowledge regarding the rulings related to qasar and jamak prayers.
(Refer Al-Taqrirat Al-Sadidah Fi Al-Masail Al-Mufidah, pg. 314-315)
Regarding the question of whether holiday for fun and recreation is given the facilitation of qasar for prayer, we present the following opinions from the four madhabs:
Madhab Hanafi:
It is narrated that Imam Abu Hanifah ruled it permissible for a person in any form of travel to perform qasar prayer, even if the travel is for sinful matters and this opinion is agreed by Syeikhul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah and Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi. (Refer Majmu’ah al-Rasa’il li Ibn Taimiyyah 2/60 and Al-Syarh al-Mumti’ Syarh Zad al-Mustaqni’ 4/349)
Madhab Maliki:
Syeikh Muhammad ‘Alisy said that according to madhab Maliki, qasar prayer for a holiday is not sunnah and is ruled as makruh (undesirable). (Refer Minah al-Jalil 1/401)
Madhab Syafi’e:
According to madhab Syafi’e, one of the conditions needed to be fulfilled in order for a person to be permissible to perform qasar and jamak in his travels is that he must have a clear purpose for his travels.
Al-Imam al-Mawardi, Al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Nawawi, Imam al-Ramli and Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haitami clearly state that al-tanazzuh which means recreation and going on holidays is a clear purpose for its purpose is to rejuvenate one’s spirits, apathy and increase one’s morale. Hence, it is permissible to perform jamak and qasar if one is travelling for a holiday and recreation. (Refer Al-Hawi al-Kabir 2/880, Al-Majmu’ Syarh al-Muhazzab 4/33, Mughni al-Muhtaj 1/268 and Al-Fatawa al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubra 1/231)
Madhab Hanbali:
Imam Ibn Qudamah narrated two opinions from madhab Hanbali. The first opinion narrated by Imam al-Khiraqi ruled it permissible, while the second opinion narrated by Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal ruled it impermissible. The reason is, going on a holiday is not considered as maslahah (beneficial travel) according to syara’. Imam Ibn Qudamah chose and is inclined towards the first opinion, which ruled it permissible to perform qasar. (Refer Al-Mughni 2/100)
Conclusion
To conclude, our disposition in this issue is the same as the majority of scholars’ which is the opinion from madhab Hanafi, Syafi’e and the chosen opinion from Ibn Qudamah in madhab Hanbali which ruled it permissible to perform qasar for prayers of those who are travelling for a holiday and recreation with family and friends. However, if the purpose of the travel is for sinful matters and transgressions such as gambling and entertainment in night clubs, then it is impermissible to perform qasar.
This opinion is compatible to our current situation and facilitates the Muslim ummah today, especially for families with young children and long-distance travel which will surely be tiresome even if they are travelling by aeroplane.
Wallahua’lam.