Performing Optional Salah (Prayer) on a Journey

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) on a journey. He (the Imam) said, ‘ It is a two Rak‘at without anything before or thereafter, except that it is appropriate for a traveler to perform four Rak‘at after al-Maghrib and optional Salah (prayer) during the night as much as he wants, if a traveler on foot; but if riding he can perform Salah (prayer) on his stumper. His Salah (prayer) is in the form of making gestures and bowing down his head for Sujud (prostrations) lower than that for Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees).”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There are four Rak‘at after al-Maghrib. You must not omit them, regardless of being on a journey or while at home.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Salah (prayer) on a journey is of two Rak‘at and there is nothing before or thereafter except al-Maghrib after which there are four Rak‘at which you must not omit on a journey or while at home. You are not required to perform the compensatory Salah (prayer) during the day but you should perform the compensatory prayer, those missed during the night (optional Salah (prayer).”’

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about nightly optional Salah (prayer) which are missed. Can I perform the compensatory prayer for them during the day? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so, if you are able to bear it.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about performing optional Salah (prayer) on the back of camel or stumper. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so as your face is.’ I then asked, ‘Am I required to face al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) when saying Takbir (Allah is great beyond description)? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, you are not required but say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) as your face is and that is how the Messenger of Allah of had done.’”

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I journeyed between Makkah and al-Madinah and he would say, ‘You, however, are young people, thus you delay. I am old so I hurry up.’ He (the Imam) would perform the nightly optional Salah (prayer) in the beginning of the night.”

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) on his stumper. He (the Imam) said, ‘He makes gestures for Sujud (prostrations) lower than the gesture for Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees).’ I then asked, ‘Can he perform Salah (prayer) while walking? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but in the form of gestures and make the one for Sujud (prostrations) lower than that for RukuV”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs optional Salah (prayer) in the cities while on the stumper and to whatever direction it faces. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is not harmful.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), did not consider it harmful to perform Salah (prayer) while walking, but he must not be driving a camel.”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about nightly Salah (prayer) and al-Witr in the beginning of the night on a journey if one is afraid of cold or not feeling well. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful and I do it so.’”

“I once asked him (Imam al-Rida’) (a.s.), about the four Rak‘at after al-Maghrib on a journey, because camel man is in hurry and I am not able to perform on the ground. Can I perform Salah (prayer) in the carriage on the camel’s back? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can perform it in the carriage.’”

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘You can perform the two morning Rak‘at in the carriage.”