Passing through one’s place of residence during a journey; praying alone because of travel

Question

(1) I am a resident of Hasanpur, district Fatehpur, Bindki sub-district. My parents live in the village of Hasanpur. Because of my employment I have lived in Bindki with my family for 5 years, and I go to Kanpur for duty. The duty runs from Kanpur to Banda and Naraini, and from Naraini I go back to Kanpur and finish it there; then I come to Bindki by some other conveyance. On the second day there is no duty; on the third day there is duty again in the same way.

Answer

(1) Hasanpur is your original homeland (watan asli). (2) The ruling of shortening the prayer (qasr) applies at 48 miles. (3) Bindki is not your original homeland; the question of praying in full (itmam) does not arise there. If you are a traveller, you will shorten; that is, if you set out with the intention of [travelling] 48 miles and reached Bindki station, you will shorten.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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