Question:Is the traveler’s choice to pray the full prayer (tamam) only at the shrine of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), or does it apply to the shrine and its courtyard, or to the entire holy city of Karbala?

Answer:In the name of Allah, in my view, the traveler’s choice between shortening (qasr) and completing (tamam) the prayer applies only to the specific area at the head of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) and his noble feet under the dome. And Allah is the Knower.

Question:Is the validity of the prayer restricted to the Great Mosque of Kufa only, or does it apply to all of Kufa? I am from Baghdad; if I pray at a relative’s house in Kufa, is my prayer valid? And what about the case of Masjid al-Sahlah?

Answer:In the name of Allah, in my view, the choice applies only to the well-known Great Mosque of Kufa where Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) was wounded. Allah knows best.

Question:I travel daily between two cities for work. Should I shorten my prayers? What is the ruling on my fasting in Ramadan in this case?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if your travel covers the legal distance (or more), you must perform the full prayers and observe fasting in Ramadan, whether you are in either of the two cities or on the way. Allah is the Knower.

Question:What is the ruling on Friday prayer during the period of occultation?

Answer:In the name of Allah, Friday prayer is not obligatory according to us except in the following cases: If the Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance) personally establishes it or appoints someone to do so. If a qualified jurist (faqih) with apparent authority and power undertakes its establishment or appoints someone within his jurisdiction to do so. In other situations, if one wishes to perform Friday prayer, they may do so as an act of devotion to Allah, performing the noon (Dhuhr) prayer with the intention of obligation. Allah knows best.

Question:I travel for my studies in the seminary eight times a month and stay in a student dormitory at the seminary. Am I permitted to consider this place my home, since I will be doing this for five years, in order to make my religious obligations easier?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the rulings of one who has two places of residence apply to you: the place where you study and the place where you live as your home. As for the distance between the two places—if it reaches the sharʿī measure of travel distance—then the rulings of the traveler apply to you on the way. Allah, the All-Knowing, knows best.

Question:A person has a job that involves delivering orders to his workplace, as follows: He travels five times a month and stays from morning until noon. He has been following this routine for years. 1. What is his ruling regarding prayer and fasting while at work? 2. If he travels to a place other than his workplace, does he break his fast or not?

Answer:In name of Allah, In the first case, he must fast and perform full prayers. In the second case, if the travel is within the scope of his job and duties, then he must also fast and perform full prayers. But if it is not within the scope of his job, then the rulings of a traveler apply to him. Allah knows best.

Question:What is the criterion for frequent travel?

Answer:In the name of Allah, a person who does not stay for ten days in their homeland during the month is considered a frequent traveler. Allah knows best.

Question:What is the legal distance required for shortening the prayer? And where does the boundary for shortening begin in vast countries?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the legal distance is approximately 43 kilometers and one-fifth of a kilometer. As for the boundary for shortening, it is determined by the disappearance of the adhan and the walls. The disappearance of the adhan means that the sound from the minaret, without modern instruments, cannot be heard from the mosque in the area considered as the last point of that city. Also, the walls should not be distinguishable, only seen as a vague outline. This is easy for anyone with functioning sight and hearing. Allah knows best.

Question:Where does the obligated person begin measuring the legal distance in vast countries to shorten their prayer if they intend to travel?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the distance begins from the end of the houses belonging to the city or village from the direction of travel. Allah knows best.

Question:If a person works in one place and lives in another, and there is a travel distance between the two places, should they pray shortened (qasr) prayers or complete prayers while traveling?

Answer:In the name of Allah, while traveling, they should pray shortened prayers (qasr). In their place of work and at their home, they should pray complete prayers. Saying “while traveling”, we mean the area where the distance from the houses and the limit for shortening prayers is confirmed, whether from the place where they live or the place where they work. Allah is the Guide and All-Knowing.