I Study Abroad – Should I Shorten My Prayers During My Visit Back Home?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum,

I study in Canada. I am visiting my parents for 2 weeks in Saudi Arabia and then will go back to Canada. Should I shorten my prayers during my visit back home?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

The basis is that you have one place of permanent residency (watn asli). [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to shorten his prayers when he returned to Makkah after the migration (hijra) despite it being his hometown.

It is related that Anas was heard to say, “We went out with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, from Madina to Makkah and he prayed two rak’ats for every prayer [except Maghrib] until we returned to Madina. Yahya ibn Abi Ishaq said, “I asked, ‘Did you stay in Makkah at all?’ He replied, ‘We stayed for ten days.'” [Bukhari]

Accordingly, you would shorten when travelling elsewhere, even if this travel is to your parents’ home and even if you have residency in multiple countries.

Please also see: When Is a Person Considered a Traveler Who Can Shorten Their Prayers? and: The Definition of a Resident Person & Traveler

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,
Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani