Abu Ubaid in Al-Ghareeb,1 Abdul Razzaq,2 Tahawi, Ibne Hazm have
narrated from Abu Muhallab that: Uthman wrote: “I have been informed that
some people, who go out for business or to collect government taxes, like Zakat
or Jizya, recite shortened prayer.3 Only that one would recite the shortened
prayer, who is a traveler or who is near the enemy.”
Through the channels of Qatada, it is narrated from Ayyash Makhzumi that:
Uthman wrote to some of his agents: Residents, desert dwellers and traders will not recite the prayer as two units (and shortened form); only one, who is carrying the provisions of the journey, will recite the prayer as two units.
It is mentioned in the report of Ibne Hazm that: Uthman wrote to his agents:
One, who collects taxes, the trader and agriculturist will not recite prayer as two
units. Only those would recite the prayer in shortened form, who…4
And it is mentioned in Lisanul Arab that: Uthman said: The sheep should
not make you heedless of your prayers and should not deceive you. Indeed only
those should recite the shortened prayer, who are travelers, or when the enemy is
near. Abu Ubaid has said that: Jashar means taking the cattle to pasture land and
to remain there, and not returning home.5
And it is mentioned in the margins of Sunan Baihaqi that:6
“Traveler is one, who is sent on an errand.”
And it is mentioned in Nihaya that:7
“Shakhis means traveler, and tradition of Abu Ayyub is in this meaning
only: one, who is always on journey for religious purposes.”
Allamah Amini says: From where did Uthman add this condition? And as
we informed you,8 traditions narrated regarding prayer of a traveler are all
absolute and unconditional and before these reports, is the verse of:
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَقْصُرُوا مِنَ الصَّلوةِ
“And when you journey in the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten the prayer.”9
…is general.
Abu Hanifah and his students, Thawri and Abu Soor have broad view
regarding generality of the verse, and they do not restrict the law to a journey, on
the contrary they said that it would also include journey of sin, like for
committing theft or staging an uprising.10
And presence of the enemy has no interference in shortening of prayer or
reciting it in full, and fear and presence of enemy has a special effect on prayer,
and there are particular and fixed rules, which cannot be trespassed.
Thus, the reasoning applicable on it – as the whole community believes – it is that: the trader, tax collector, farmer, shepherd and others, if they travel a
particular distance, they have to recite the shortened prayer, and in this aspect,
there is no difference among different classes of people. And the details of
Caliph, is nothing, except verdict without evidence and his particular viewpoint is
false, which is opposed to traditional reports of Prophet, consensus of
companions and Ummah, and attention should not be paid to leaders and scholars
relying on it.
We mention this only to explain to you the understanding of this man, or
issuing a clear verdict without providing evidence, or knowing about the proof,
but not paying attention to it, and his issuing a statement as opposed to statement
of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).
“Like a beast, which rams the horns on the rock to break it down, but causes
no harm to it, on the contrary that hard rock splinters the horns.”