وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَن يَفْتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ كَانُوا۟ لَكُمْ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا 101
Translations
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.
Transliteration
Wa-idha darabatum fi al-ardi falaisa alaykum junahun an taqsuru mina as-salati in khiftum an yaftinakumu alladhina kafaru. Inna al-kafirina kanu lakum aduwwan mubina.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah permits the shortening (qasr) of the four-unit prayers to two units during travel and times of fear, removing any burden or sin from doing so when threatened by disbelievers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this concession (rukhsah) reflects Allah's mercy and practical wisdom, acknowledging that believers in danger may be distracted from maintaining full prayer lengths, and that the intention and focus in prayer matter more than mechanical completion.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period when Muslims faced external threats from polytheistic Arab tribes and Jewish groups. It specifically addresses believers who traveled through dangerous territories, establishing the legal basis for prayer shortening (qasr as-salah) during both journey and fear—a practice exemplified during early Islamic military expeditions and trade journeys across Arabia.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (1087): The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed two units of prayer while traveling. Sahih Muslim (686): Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported that the Prophet said regarding the shortened prayer during travel and fear, 'Allah has given you a concession, so accept His concession.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah's legislation balances spiritual obligation with human circumstances and safety concerns, teaching believers that religious practice should accommodate genuine difficulties without diminishing faith or commitment. This principle extends beyond prayer, reminding us that Islam is a religion of mercy and practicality, not burdensome rigidity in times of genuine need.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّا ۚ وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ قِيلًا
But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allāh, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allāh in statement.
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allāh will find Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ يَشْتَرُونَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن تَضِلُّوا۟ ٱلسَّبِيلَ
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, purchasing error [in exchange for it] and wishing you would lose the way?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَارِهَآ أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلسَّبْتِ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا
O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the sabbath-breakers. And ever is the matter [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.