Shortening the prayer is a gift

Narrated by Ya'la ibn Umayyah, from Umar

Ya'la asked Umar why people still shortened the prayer when they were safe. Umar said: I wondered about that too and asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he said: "It is a charity which Allah has given you, so accept His charity."

Sahih Muslim 686

What this hadith teaches

Travellers shorten the four-rak'ah prayers to two. It is a mercy, not a lessening.

Reference and grade

Found in

• Sahih Muslim 686

Grade

Sahih (in Sahih Muslim)

Narrator

Ya'la ibn Umayyah, from Umar

Chapter

Travel, illness and special prayers