Ruling on Travelling Before Jumu’ah

Sheikh Ibn Baz rahimahullah said: "If travel takes place before the adhān—before the sun passes its zenith—then there is no issue, In-shā-Allāh. However, it is better for you not to travel until you have performed the Jumuʿah prayer; this is what is preferable for you. If you do travel before the time of Jumuʿah begins, there is no sin upon you. There is also no objection to combining prayers as long as the journey is one that permits shortening the prayer, such as travel to Al-Kharj, Makkah, Al-Hawṭah, and the like. What is meant is a distance of approximately eighty kilometers—formerly described as a day and a night’s journey by mount; today this is estimated at around seventy to eighty kilometers. Any distance close to this is considered travel. Nevertheless, you should, my brother, be keen to attend the Jumuʿah prayer because of the great good and immense benefit it contains, and so that this does not become a habit that hardens the heart and diminishes concern for this matter. I therefore advise you to strive against yourself to pray Jumuʿah and then travel. However, this is not obligatory if the travel occurs before the time of Jumuʿah, before the sun passes its zenith. Presenter: May Allah reward you with goodness, Your Eminence. He says that he does this once every month. Shaykh: Whether it is once a month or once every two months, the ruling is the same. Presenter: May Allāh bless you.