four rak'ahs to two; rather, it was originally prescribed as two rak'ahs. A concession is a change from what is more burdensome to what is lighter. The traveller’s prayer, however, was prescribed as two rak'ahs from the very beginning. Accordingly, a traveller undertaking a prohibited journey may pray two rak'ahs. According to this view, the journey need not be permissible. This is a strong view, because its reasoning is evident: shortening is contingent upon travel, in the sense that two rak'ahs are the prescribed obligation during it, not in the sense that the prayer has been changed from four rak'ahs to two. This is established in Sahih al-Bukhari and elsewhere, on the authority of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): “Prayer was first prescribed as two rak'ahs. Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) emigrated, and the prayer for residents was increased, while the traveller’s prayer remained at two rak'ahs.” (1)

It thus becomes clear that two rak'ahs while travelling are the original ruling, not a concession. Accordingly, there is no difference between prohibited travel and permissible travel.

Some scholars said: Prayer may be shortened only on a journey undertaken in obedience, such as Hajj, Umrah, visiting one’s parents, and the like. As for a permissible journey, prayer may not be shortened during it. This view stands opposite to the view of those who say that it may be shortened even during a prohibited journey.

Four burud (postal stages)

His statement, “four burud,” is the second of the conditions for shortening the prayer.

Burud is the plural of barid, and a barid is a half-day’s journey. It was called a barid because, in the past, when people wished to send rapid correspondence, they used a relay-post system: they would arrange a station and resting place with horses at every half-day’s journey. When the rider of the first horse reached this place, he would dismount from