The traveler who has the intention to stay in a place for more than four days

Q 1: I am a military officer whose work requires moving from one place to another. I moved with eight persons to an island where there is a Masjid (mosque) without a regular Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer); is it obligatory upon us to offer the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer, bearing in mind that the island is far away from our country and we stay there for about a month?

A: Most scholars hold the view - which is the most preponderant - that the traveler who has the intention to stay in a place for more than four days is not to take advantage of the Rukhsahs (concessions) of travel. Accordingly, your stay for a month in another country does not waive the obligation to attend the Jum`ah Prayer with the other residents, since the obligation on you to perform it is dependent on the presence of permanent residents who hold Jum`ah Prayer, but you should not hold it independently from them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.