Darulifta Ahlesunnat (Dawateislami)
Question
What do the scholars of Islam and the jurists of the sacred law state regarding the following matter: I have moved from my native city, Multan, to Lahore with my family and now intend to reside here permanently. I have no intention of moving elsewhere. However, I own some lands and a house in Multan, so I will have to travel there occasionally. Is Multan still considered my waṭan aṣlī (permanent place of residence) or not? When I travel from Lahore to Multan with the intention of staying for less than fifteen days, should I perform shortened prayers (qaṣr) or full prayers?
Note: The questioner clarified that the move to Lahore was made with the firm intention of leaving Multan.
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
When a place is a person's waṭan aṣlī, and he relocates with his family to another place with the firm resolve and intention of leaving the first, intending to reside permanently in the new location, the first place no longer remains his waṭan aṣlī, even if he still owns lands and a house there.
In the case described, since you have moved permanently to Lahore with your family with the firm resolve and intention of leaving Multan, Multan is no longer your waṭan aṣlī, even though you still own property there. Therefore, when you travel to Multan with the intention of staying for less than fifteen days, you will perform shortened prayers (qaṣr).
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم
(Allah Almighty knows best and His Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَ اٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knows best.)
Answered By: Mufti Fuzail Raza Attari
Date: Islamic Magazine Faizan e Madina October 2025