Basic
Madani Events
Surah: Al-Baqarah (115)
"To Allah Belongs the East and West" — Voluntary Prayer on a Mount During Travel
فَأَيۡنَمَا تُوَلُّواْ فَثَمَّ وَجۡهُ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
— البقرة الآية 115
Verse: "To Allah belongs the East and West — wherever you turn there is the face of Allah." (2:115)
Occasion (Sahih): Muslim narrated from Ibn Umar: "The Messenger of Allah used to pray voluntary prayers on his mount during travel wherever it faced, and performed Witr on it — but would not perform obligatory prayers on it." This verse was then revealed permitting this.
Fiqh benefit: Voluntary prayers on a mount during travel are permitted in any direction. Obligatory prayers require facing the qibla when possible.
Occasion (Sahih): Muslim narrated from Ibn Umar: "The Messenger of Allah used to pray voluntary prayers on his mount during travel wherever it faced, and performed Witr on it — but would not perform obligatory prayers on it." This verse was then revealed permitting this.
Fiqh benefit: Voluntary prayers on a mount during travel are permitted in any direction. Obligatory prayers require facing the qibla when possible.
Source: Sahih Muslim (700); Lubab Al-Nuqul by Al-Suyuti; Al-Qurtubi (2/73)
Test Yourself
What is the difference between obligatory and voluntary prayers regarding facing the qibla on a mount?
Show Answer