Is voluntary prayer permissible upon a riding animal while traveling?
Chapter on Facing the Qiblah
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
There is consensus among scholars that performing voluntary prayers (*nawafil*) upon a riding animal during long travel is permissible. This permission extends to any direction the animal faces, involving gestures where the prostration is lower than the bowing. Regarding short travel, where shortening prayers is not permitted, Imam Abu Hanifa, Al-Layth, Al-Hasan ibn Hayy, Al-Awza'i, Al-Shafi'i, and the Ashab al-Ra'y permit prayer on the mount. The evidence for this is the verse: {And to Allah belong the east and the west. So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah} (Quran 2:115), which Ibn Umar specified was revealed concerning voluntary prayer regardless of direction. Narrations confirm that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Witr and Tasbih on his mount, and Ibn Umar followed this practice.
Supporting text
Imam Malik restricted the allowance to long journeys only, considering it a concession (*rukhsah*) of travel limited to cases where shortening prayers is permitted. However, the evidence cited indicates a general permission for voluntary prayer on a mount, as the underlying reason—convenience to avoid cessation of worship—applies equally to short and long journeys.