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
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِٱلْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا
Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allāh, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant - He will gather them to Himself all together.
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَضْلُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ عَلِيمًا
That is the bounty from Allāh, and sufficient is Allāh as Knower.
لَّـٰكِنِ ٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ أَنزَلَهُۥ بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۖ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
But Allāh bears witness to that which He has revealed to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness [as well]. And sufficient is Allāh as Witness.