6/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 694a — Traveller Prayer in Mina
Shortening the prayer in Mina
Qasr Prayer Hadith: Traveller Prayer in Mina
Sahih Muslim : 694a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 694a
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرٌو، وَهُوَ ابْنُ الْحَارِثِ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ صَلَّى صَلاَةَ الْمُسَافِرِ بِمِنًى وَغَيْرِهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ صَدْرًا مِنْ خِلاَفَتِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَمَّهَا أَرْبَعًا .
Salim bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) observed the prayer of a traveller, i. e. two rak'ahs in Mina, and other places; so did Abu Bakr and 'Umar, and 'Uthman too observed two rak'ahs at the beginning of his caliphate, but he then completed four.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 694aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 21USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1477
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 694a
This Hadith focuses on qasr prayer, or shortening prayer while travelling. Salim reports from his father that Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prayed the traveller's prayer as two rak'ahs in Mina and other places. Abu Bakr and 'Umar followed this same practice. 'Uthman also prayed two rak'ahs at the start of his caliphate, but later completed the prayer as four. The main teaching is clear: the traveller's prayer is shown here as two rak'ahs, especially in Mina. The Hadith also shows how the actions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and the early caliphs were carefully remembered and reported. For anyone searching for a hadith about shortening prayer while travelling, this narration gives a direct report about prayer in travel and the practice at Mina.
What we learn from this hadith
- The traveller's prayer is reported here as two rak'ahs.
- The practice of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in Mina was carefully preserved by the Companions.
- Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and early 'Uthman are mentioned as praying two rak'ahs in this setting.
- The narration notes a later change in 'Uthman's practice without adding extra details.
