Salaam Minara Family,
We’re grateful to be landing in your inbox again today. First day of August and officially the last month of summer [at least in the Northern Hemisphere].
A little prayer for you today: as summer begins its graceful descent, we’re holding space for stillness, inspiration and the beauty found in transitions. We hope this month brings you clarity, calm and small joys that linger.
August is a month of ripening and remembering before the world turns amber - embrace it in sha Allah 🌄.
How many of you are travelling this month? Perhaps you’re jetting off to a new and exciting part of the world. Perhaps you’re opting to stay at home and instead sample what that has to offer instead [if you’re in the UK, does a garden chair, a cuppa, and a break in the rain qualify as a summer holiday?! Asking for a friend 😉].
Fun aside, we’re so grateful for our privilege alhamdulillah. Even as we write this, our hearts remain heavy for the people of Gaza, enduring unimaginable hardship and, most urgently, state-enforced hunger. Entire families are being unimaginably starved as the world watches on.
May Allah Almighty provide the men, women and children of Gaza with immediate relief, sustenance, and safety.
May He ease their suffering, grant them steadfastness, and open the hearts of those with power to act with justice and compassion.
May every hunger pang be replaced with mercy, and every tear with peace.
May this du’a be extended to all those who face oppression on every stretch of earth.
Aameen 🤲🏽.
If you are in the blessed position of travelling this month [vacations or staycations!], we hope you find our incoming little salah travel guide helpful in sha Allah.
Salah in Transit
General rule of thumb is that if you:
Set out with the intention of eventually travelling approx. 77 km, you will be deemed a shar’ee traveller. You won’t become a musafir [traveller] until you firmly intend to travel 77 km from the place you are currently in.
The moment you come out of the boundaries of your town or city, you become a shar’ee musafir even though you may not have travelled beyond the required 77 km yet. Within the boundaries of your town or city, you will not be a musafir.
You will stop being a musafir if your stay extends to 15 days or beyond. So you will be an official traveller for the first 15 days and then the rules for a travelling person in relation to salah will cease for you.
So what happens in this scenario of being considered a traveller?
Well, for every fardh four raka’ah salah, you will shorten the salah to two raka’ah. This is called Qasr.
So in the case of Dhuhr, ‘Asr and ‘Esha, you are only obligated to read two fardh instead of four.
Every other fardh salah and Witr will be prayed in full [Fajr, Maghreb and the Witr of ‘Esha].
The sunnah and nawafil can be read as normal or as per your habit. The rules of Qasr will not apply to anything beside the fardh.
Why Has Allah Made It So Easy For Me?
Allah knows that travel can be physically demanding and that a traveller may face conditions that make it difficult to perform Salah in its full form. Whether it’s a long journey, lack of time, fatigue, or other obstacles, Qasr Salah lightens the burden. Allah’s mercy is always present in His commands, and He does not want to place undue hardship on us.
"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship..." [al-Quran 2:185]
💪🏽 Flexibility and Adaptability
Traveling often involves uncertainties, ranging from delays to sudden changes in plans. The concession of Qasr allows for flexibility, ensuring that despite the unpredictable nature of travel, Muslims can still uphold their Salah without worry.
🎯Maintaining Consistency in Worship
Even during travel, it’s important to maintain a strong connection with Allah through regular prayers. Qasr Salah ensures that as a traveller, you can still perform your duties of worship, even if you’re on the move, keeping you in the flow of devotion and spiritual mindfulness. By shortening the prayer, it becomes more feasible and consistent.
💜 Allah’s Mercy
Qasr is a tangible example of Allah’s mercy and care for His servants. It reflects that Allah doesn’t want His believers to feel burdened, especially during difficult circumstances. Qasr is an example of how Islam is designed to accommodate real-life situations, making it easier for us to practice our faith.
⏲️Encouragement to Maintain Regularity in Salah
Even when you’re far from home or in unfamiliar situations, the practice of Salah remains a core pillar of the faith. Qasr serves as a gentle reminder that no matter where you are, or how difficult the circumstances, Allah wants His followers to keep up their connection with Him.
In essence, Qasr Salah isn’t just a concession, but a mercy from Allah that allows us to maintain our connection with Him even during travel, without adding extra strain or difficulty. It’s a reminder that Islam, at its core, is about ease and consistency, not hardship.
So, whether you're on a long journey or a short staycation, may this ease in worship help you stay grounded and spiritually present, no matter where you are.
Just a quick note, we’ll be taking a two-week break, so expect some quiet from this side of Minara.
In sha Allah we’ll be back soon with more content and ready to share fresh ideas!
Wishing you a wonderful August.
Keep the ‘Ummah in your prayers.
Love and du’as,
The Minara Team
