would never omit either, whether at home or travelling.

When asked about this, Ibn ‘Umar said: “I accompanied the Prophet (1), peace and blessings be upon him, and never saw him offer voluntary prayers while travelling. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says: ‘Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.’ [al-Ahzāb: 21]” (2). By voluntary prayers, he meant the regular sunnah prayers; otherwise, it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would offer voluntary prayers on his mount, whichever direction he was facing.

In the two Sahīh collections (3), Ibn ‘Umar said: “While travelling, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would offer the night prayer on his mount, whichever direction it took him, making gestures. This did not apply to the obligatory prayers. He would also pray Witr on his mount.”

Al-Shāfi‘ī said (4): “It is established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would offer voluntary prayers at night while shortening his prayers.”

In the two Sahīh collections (5), ‘Āmir ibn Rabī‘ah reported that he saw the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, offering voluntary prayers at night while travelling on his mount. This, then, was the night prayer.

Imam Ahmad was asked about offering voluntary prayers while travelling. He replied: “I hope there is nothing wrong with offering voluntary prayers while travelling” (6).