6/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 690a — Four in Medina, Two at Dhu'l-Hulaifa
The travelers’ prayer and shortening it
Shortening Prayer While Travelling: Medina and Dhu'l-Hulaifa
Sahih Muslim : 690a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 690a
حَدَّثَنَا خَلَفُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، وَأَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الزَّهْرَانِيُّ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، وَهُوَ ابْنُ زَيْدٍ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَيَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ أَرْبَعًا وَصَلَّى الْعَصْرَ بِذِي الْحُلَيْفَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ .
Anas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said four rak'ahs in the noon prayer while at Medina, but he offered two rak'ahs in the afternoon prayer at Dhu'l-Hulaifa.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 690aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 12USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1469
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 690a
This Hadith gives a simple example from the Prophet's prayer. Anas reports that the Messenger of Allah prayed four rak'ahs in the noon prayer while in Medina. Then he offered two rak'ahs in the afternoon prayer at Dhu'l-Hulaifa. For readers searching for qasr prayer hadith, this report shows the difference between the prayer at home and prayer after setting out. The text does not add a long legal discussion. It only mentions two places and two prayers: four rak'ahs in Medina, and two rak'ahs at Dhu'l-Hulaifa. That makes the teaching easy to understand: the Prophet's practice changed with the travel situation mentioned in the narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet prayed four rak'ahs in Medina in this report.
- He prayed two rak'ahs at Dhu'l-Hulaifa.
- The narration gives a clear example of travel prayer.
- The Hadith shows the difference between resident prayer and prayer connected to travel.
