Then we interpret it as referring to travel before the time [for Jumu'ah] has arrived.

Section: If one travels before the time has arrived, Abu al-Khattab mentions three narrations regarding this: First, it is prohibited, due to the hadith of Ibn Umar. Second, it is permissible, which is the opinion of al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, and the majority of scholars, due to the statement of Umar, and because the Jumu'ah has not yet become incumbent, so travel is not prohibited, just as it is at night. Third, it is permitted for jihad and nothing else. This is what al-Qadi mentioned, because Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, dispatched Zayd ibn Harithah, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, and Abdullah ibn Rawahah in the army of Mu'tah. Abdullah lagged behind, and the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saw him and said: "What kept you back?" He replied: "Jumu'ah." The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then said: "A single journey in the path of Allah" or he said: "A single morning or evening excursion is better than the world and all that is in it." He said: So he left and set out. Recorded by Imam Ahmad in al-Musnad (14). The preferred view is that it is absolutely permissible, because his liability is free from the Jumu'ah, so it does not prevent him [from traveling] by the possibility of it becoming incumbent upon him, just as it is before its day arrives. Abu al-Khattab mentioned that the time which prevents travel—and regarding which there is a difference of opinion for what is before it—is the declining of the sun (zawal). Al-Qadi did not differentiate between what is before the declination and what is after it. Perhaps he based this on the view that its time is [analogous to] the time of the Eid [prayer]. The reasoning for Abu al-Khattab's statement is that performing it early is a dispensation (rukhsah) contrary to the original rule, so the ruling of prohibition does not attach to it, just like advancing the latter of two combined prayers to the time of the first.

Section: If the traveler fears missing his traveling companions, it is permissible for him to forgo the Jumu'ah, because that is among the excuses that exempt one from the Jumu'ah and the congregational prayer, regardless of whether he is in his own town and intends to initiate a journey, or is elsewhere.

Section: Ahmad said: If he wishes, he may pray two rak'ahs after the Jumu'ah, and if he wishes, he may pray