Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Thursday, February 6, 2020

36. Shortening Prayers

During his halt at Mina the pilgrim should follow the Prophet's example and shorten his thuhr, asr, and Isha prayers to two rak'ahs each, whereas fajr and maghrib prayers remains the same. This ruling is applicable to all  pilgrims, including the residents of Makkah.

During the Farewell Pilgrimage the residents of Makkah shortened prayers led by the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. Neither the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam Abu Bakr, or 'Umar nor any other caliph ever instructed them to do otherwise. 


Those who quote 'Uthman  as saying so are mistaken because the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam only instructed the resident of Makkah to complete the prayer on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah. 

Furthermore, he salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was accompanied by the residents of Makkah during the devotional rites of hajj in Mina, 'Arafat and Muzdalifah, and there is no Hadith instructing them to complete their prayers at these places.

It is unfortunate that some pilgrim avoid congregational shortened and joined prayers at Namirah Masjid or other parts of 'Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and instead perform this prayers in full in their tents. This is completely against the hajj tradition. Rather, all pilgrims should shorten four- rak'ah in Mina, 'Arafat and Muzdalifah according to the sunnah of Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam .

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