Fatwa ID: 01422
Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Question:
Can u please clarify and elaborate on the following questions:
A persons original hometown is walsall,he goes to study in Darul uloom Blackburn, he then has holidays after 3 months. On his way back he stops at Birmingham, does he have to read qasar namaz? Also his holidays are for 2 weeks does he read qasr namaz during these two weeks?
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
The watn asli usually refers to a persons hometown where he has taken up residence or a place besides his birthplace in which he has assumed permanent residence along with his family. After settling he has no intention of leaving the place. (Bahrur Raaiq p.136 v.2)
If a person relocates with his family and possessions to his place of employment with the intention that he will live there forever even if his employment terminates then this place will assume the status of watn asli. However if a person relocates with his family but intends to live in his place of employment only for the duration of his employment then there are two opinions. Some scholars say this place will not be regarded as his watn asli. Whereas other scholars have regarded such a place as watn asli, i.e. both places will be considered as watn asli. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.102 v.4)
Ibn Humam 
in his Fathul Qadeer has written that a place will cease to be regarded as watn asli if the following two conditions are found:
- A person completely disassociates himself from his watn asli and moves away with his family.
- He assumes permanent residence in another town.
As soon as you left Darul Uloom Blackburn which was your Watn Iqamah you will pray Qasr Salah until you reach Walsall. As Birmingham is not your Watn Asli, you will also pray Qasr Salah there as well. (Umdatul Fiqh p.413 v.3)
Regarding the second part of your question, as you have not severed contact with your hometown, therefore, during your holidays you will be praying full Salah. (Fatawa Hindiyyah p.139 v.1)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
