Performing the Salah in Makkah, Mina, and ‘Arafah

Q. How should the pilgrims who are going to perform Hajj perform the Salah in Makkah, Mina, and ‘Arafah? Should they perform it as a Musafir (traveller) or not?

A. In Islamic terminology, a Musafir is one who leaves his home with the intention of travelling a distance of 48 miles or more. A Musafir must shorten each Farz Salah from 4 to 2 Rak‘at. This shortening is known as Qasr.

The Qasr is not valid—i.e., there is no shortening—if the person concerned:

1. Intends to stay somewhere for a period of 15 days or more;
2. Performs the Salah in congregation behind an Imam who is muqeem—i.e., an Imam who is not himself a Musafir;
3. Returns home.

As for Mauritian pilgrims, they must perform the Salah of Musafir (Qasr) during their journey from Mauritius to Makkah. Additionally, they must do the same if they leave Makkah for Mina before 15 days—i.e., if they stay in Makkah for less than 15 days.

However, if the pilgrims perform Salah behind the Imam of the Haram Sharif in the Haram Sharif (which is what they should do), the question of Qasr does not arise; that is, they cannot in this case reduce the Farz Salahs of 4 Rak‘at to 2.

In Mina and Muzdalifah, they must do the same if they perform Salah behind a Muqeem Imam. Otherwise, being Musafir, they must perform Qasr—that is, reduce the Farz Salahs of 4 Rak‘at to 2.

As for the Salahs in ‘Arafah, please refer to a detailed answer on this question later in this very section.

[English version of "Accomplir la Salaah à Makkah, Minaa et A'rafah" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 4]