the prayers at Minā, ‘Arafah, and Muzdalifah, and combine the noon and afternoon prayers at ‘Arafah and the sunset and night prayers at Muzdalifah. All the pilgrims, whether residents of Mecca or otherwise, prayed behind them. They all shortened their prayers at the pilgrimage sites, and all combined their prayers at ‘Arafah and Muzdalifah.

Scholars have differed over whether the people of Mecca and others in similar circumstances may shorten or combine their prayers. Some held that they may neither shorten nor combine them; this is the view of some followers of al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad. Others held that they may combine but not shorten them; this is the view of Abū Hanīfah, Ahmad, and those who agreed with him among his own followers and those of al-Shāfi‘ī. Still others held that they may both combine and shorten them; this was the view of Mālik, Ibn ‘Uyaynah, Ishāq ibn Rāhawayh, some followers of Ahmad, and others.

This last view is undoubtedly correct, for it is unquestionably what the people of Mecca did when praying behind the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Neither the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—nor Abū Bakr nor ‘Umar ever said at Minā, ‘Arafah, or Muzdalifah: “People of Mecca, complete your prayers, for we are travelers.” It is, however, established that ‘Umar said this within Mecca itself. Likewise, the Sunan collections report that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said this within Mecca itself during the campaign of the Conquest.

This is among the strongest proofs that shortening the prayers is prescribed for every traveler, even if his journey is only a barīd, for ‘Arafah is one barīd—four parasangs—from Mecca. Neither the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—nor his successors performed an Eid prayer in Mecca; indeed, throughout his travels he never once performed the prayer of