[ 444] When Does Qasr Begin for a Traveler? Leaving the City Limits for Musafir, Rulings City Boundaries and Start of Traveler’s Status

QUESTION:

I have a question regarding the rulings of a traveler (musāfir) and when a person is considered to have left the city/outskirts (Fanā’ al-Madīnah) so that the ruling of shortening the prayer (qasr) applies.

For example: If someone lives in a city (such as Bradford, UK) and intends to travel internationally (e.g., to Pakistan). He leaves his home and enters the motorway towards the airport. Along the motorway there are farmlands and some small settlements. I am unsure whether these farmlands and surrounding areas are considered part of the city or already outside the city limits.

1. At what exact point would it be considered that he has left the city and the rulings of a traveler apply?
2. Is merely being on the motorway sufficient, even though there are still nearby populated areas or farmlands that may be connected to the city?

ANSWER:

For becoming a musāfir (traveler), it is necessary to leave the boundary of the city.

By “boundary of the city” is meant that on whichever side one is traveling, the residential houses and populated settlement of that side (ābādī) must come to an end. (If there are adjoining places outside the city such as a railway station, cemetery, etc., then it is also necessary to go beyond those.)

After the end of the populated area and houses, any farms or fields that appear will not be considered part of the city. Therefore, as soon as the residential populated area ends, one is regarded as a traveler.

Allama Shami رحمہ الله تعالی states:

“يعتبر في المسافة خروجه من عمران المصر وما اتصل به من مقابر وبساتين ومواضع يتبعها”
(Radd al-Muhtār, Vol. 2, p. 134)

In Fatawa Ridawiyyah it is mentioned:
“Residences of the city and related landmarks, such as cemeteries, etc., all are considered part of the city. When one goes beyond all of these, then the ruling of musāfir applies.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 7, p. 236)

In Bahar-e-Shari‘at it states:
“Mere intention of travel does not make one a musāfir. Rather, the ruling of musāfir applies when one exits the settlement’s populated area—if he is in a city, then beyond the city; if in a village, then beyond the village. For a city-dweller, it is also necessary to go beyond the adjoining populated areas connected to the city.”

(Bahar-e-Shari‘at, Vol. 1, Part 4, p. 747)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 6th September 2025