—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—used to visit Qubā every Saturday, sometimes riding and sometimes walking.” There is no doubt that the people of Qubā and others from al-ʿAwālī, the upland settlements, used to visit the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in Medina. Neither he nor they shortened their prayers on these visits. They would come to Friday prayer from distances of about a mile or a farsakh without shortening their prayers. Friday prayer is obligatory for anyone who hears the call, and the call may be heard from a farsakh away. Yet not everyone obliged to attend Friday prayer is permitted to shorten their prayers.

Some of al-ʿAwālī forms part of Medina, although the name “Medina” encompasses all the settlements, as Allah Most High says:

“Among the Bedouins around you are hypocrites, as are some of the people of Medina, who persist in hypocrisy.”

And He says:

“It was not for the people of Medina and the Bedouins around them to remain behind the Messenger of Allah.”

As for what has been reported from Ibn ʿUmar, its authenticity must first be examined. If it is authentic, the reports from him differ, and other Companions disagreed with him. Perhaps he meant once one has covered a mile of the journey. There is no doubt that Qubā is more than a mile from Medina, yet neither Ibn ʿUmar nor others used to shorten their prayers when they went to Qubā.

Thus, the fact that the people of Mecca shortened their prayers at ʿArafah, whereas the people of Medina did not shorten theirs when going to Qubā and similar places around Medina, demonstrates the distinction. And Allah knows best.

If praying on one’s mount is specific to travel, it may only be done on a journey that is called travel. For this reason, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not pray on his mount during