The Definition of a Resident Person & Traveler

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: I’ll be leaving to live in a rural town (>51 miles from home) for 3 weeks for university placements. However, after 3 or so days, I’ll be coming back home for Eid, and then going back to this town for another 2 weeks. Because I’Il initially be there for less than 15 days, and I’ll be initiating travel back home, am i considered a traveler for this first period of time? And is it the the same for the 2 weeks I’ll be there later on, because again its less than 15 days? Also, I always considered a resident at home, correct?

Answer: Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

A resident person is someone who is either in their home town or staying somewhere for 15 days without initiating a legal journey (>51 miles).

Thus, you would be a traveller in the first part of your stay in the rural town, as you’re staying there less than 15 days; and also for the second stay there, if also staying less than 15 days.

You are correct that you’re always considered a resident at home.

[ref: Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

wassalam, Faraz Rabbani