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Is it permissible to shorten prayers (qasr) when traveling from Cairo to Alexandria for recreational purposes, knowing that the distance is approximately 220 kilometers?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is disliked for a traveler whose intention is recreation and leisure to shorten the prayer according to the Malikis, while the Hanbalis deem it permissible. The Shafi'is hold that shortening is allowed if the intention is recreation, not mere sightseeing. Abu Hanifa and Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah are of the view that shortening the prayer is legislated for the traveler, even if their journey is for an unlawful purpose, and that the traveler's prayer is originally two rak'ahs, not a concession.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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