The scholars have differed regarding the issue of initiating a journey on Friday, and they have two scenarios for it:
First Scenario:
Initiating the journey before midday (midday being the time when the sun’s disc moves away from the zenith, i.e., before the Dhuhr prayer time by a little):
– Our scholars in the Hanafi School went towards the permissibility of travel and considering Friday prayer as Dhuhr during the journey, as the obligation is lifted due to travel. It will be accepted from him if he performed it on his way.
– The Shafi’i school went towards prohibition (of starting) and they said: It is prohibited to initiate the journey before midday (Dhuhr) due to the likelihood of missing the obligatory Friday prayer.
They deduced this from what Ad-Darqutni narrated in ‘Al-Afrad’ from Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that he said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, “Whoever sets out from his place of residence on the day of Friday, the angels invoke curses upon him that he should not be accompanied or assisted in his journey.”
The Shafi’i school made exceptions in two cases:
1. Those who fear missing their companionship.
2. Those who are able to perform the Friday prayer while on their journey.
– The Maliki and Hanbali schools leaned towards considering it disliked (Makruh) rather than prohibited, due to reconciling conflicting evidence regarding prohibition and permissibility.
What we lean towards is the opinion of our Hanafi scholars, for the following reasons:
Firstly, the hadith that the Shafi’i school relies upon is weak and cannot be considered in this matter. Even if Al-Bayjirmi from among the Shafi’i scholars attempted to authenticate it, its chain goes back to Ibn Luhay’ah, who is weak as widely recognized in the field of hadith criticism and evaluation.
Secondly, the Hanafi scholars drew evidence from what Al-Bayhaqi narrated, which includes: A man who appeared to be traveling was heard by Umar saying, ‘If it weren’t for Jumu’ah (Friday prayer), I would have set out.’ Umar then told him, ‘Go ahead, for Friday prayer does not prevent you from traveling.'”
The second scenario:
Traveling after noon, meaning after the onset of the time for Friday prayer. The scholars unanimously agree on the prohibition of neglecting the Friday prayer after it becomes obligatory (wajib). Traveling is permissible after the Friday prayer’s obligation has been fulfilled.
Based on that: If you are able to perform the Friday prayer at a location and then proceed to the airport, do so. Otherwise, head to the airport early before the prayer time begins, taking into consideration travel procedures, and obtain your boarding pass. Then, go to the nearest mosque, perform the Friday prayer, and return to your plane.
And Allah knows best.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr