Answered by Shaykh Abu Usamah
What distance does a person have to travel for him to become a Musaafir, is it 77km or 88km? Please give a detailed answer.
Al-Salam `alaykum
There is a difference of opinion amongst contemporary scholars regarding the Safr distance. Here in South Africa two views (i.e. 77km or 88km) are common. In other countries, like Syria, Jordan a third view of 80km is practised upon.
The late grand-Mufti of India, Muftī Mahmūd al-Hasan Gangohī (r.a.) has expressed the view that it is 77km. This is mentioned, in detail, in Masā’il-e-Safar of Mawlānā Raf‛at Qāsmi p43 and briefly in Fatāwā Mahmūdiyyah (2.269 and 2.274).
Muftī Rashīd Ahmad Ludhiyanwi has also given Fatwā on 77km in Ahsan al Fatāwā (4.105)
If you wish to know the full details of the difference of opinion and how he arrived at the conclusion of 77km I suggest you refer to his collection of fatawa titled ‘Ahsan al Fatāwā’ (4.105), where you will find a detailed discussion.
In such circumstances the best course of action is to follow the view of the Mufti that you have the most confidence in.
Durban, South Africa