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Fatwa CenterCompanions shortening prayers in Azerbaijan for 6 months
Question
What is the veracity of the narration in which some companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, on their campaign to Azerbaijan continuously prayed Qasr for six months? If it is Saheeh, can Muslims apply this Hukm today in their travels?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Whoever travels for a distance that makes it permissible for him to shorten the prayers, which is 83 km [or more], and his travel is for a permissible purpose, then it is permissible for him to shorten his prayers during his travel. When he reaches the destination, if he stays there for a period less than four days, and he does not have a wife with whom he consummated the marriage there, or that it is not his hometown, then he may shorten the prayer as well. However, if the period of residence in the town where he travels to is more than four days, or that he has a wife with whom he consummated the marriage there, or that it is his hometown, then it is not permissible for him to shorten the prayer, and is obliged to perform the prayers without shortening them. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82426.
As regards the narration you mentioned in your question, it is reported by Al-Bayhaqi
and narrated by Naafi' from Ibn 'Umar 
who said: 'We were blocked by the snow while we were in Azerbaijan in a military campaign, and we used to pray two Raka'hs.' Moreover, Al-Athram reported: 'Naafi', may Allaah have mercy on him, narrated: 'Ibn 'Umar 
resided six months in Azerbaijan performing the prayer two Raka'hs, and he was prevented by the snow from entering Azerbaijan.' shortened the prayer throughout this period because he was not determined to reside for this entire period as he was waiting and expecting the snow to melt, which was the cause that prevented him from entering the town. This narration is supported by the narration of 'Abdur-Razzaak that Naafi' said: 'Ibn 'Umar resided six months in Azerbaijan shortening the prayer.', he said ,'And he [Ibn 'Umar] was saying: 'If I were determined to reside, I would have performed the prayers in full.' This means that Ibn 'Umar expected the melting of the snow every day.
Allaah Knows best.
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