Explanation of the residence that prevents shortening the prayer
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Q492: The questioner, A. A. from Riyadh, says: The scholars have differed on the issue of the duration during which it is permissible to combine and shorten prayers when a person arrives at the city to which he is traveling. What is the answer on which the scholars have agreed regarding this? We know that we may see some people combining and shortening their prayers until they return to their home countries, regardless of the duration?
A492: You are asking about the residence that prevents shortening the prayer. Residence while traveling has a detailed ruling. If it is four days or less, it does not prevent shortening or combining, because he is still considered a traveler. However, if the duration exceeds four days, and he knows that he will reside for more than four days, then the travel ends and he becomes a resident. He must complete the prayer and fast Ramadan like the residents, because the travel is cut off by this residence. As for if he does not know how long the residence will last, and he stays to fulfill his need without knowing when it will end, he is also still considered a traveler, and shortening and combining are permissible. But if there is a congregation in the town praying, and they have a mosque, he should pray with them and complete the prayer, and not leave the congregation or fail to respond to the mu'adhdhin to attend the mosque, on the pretext
that he is shortening the prayer. Rather, he should pray with the congregation and complete the prayer, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Ibn Hibban 10:352 So, in summary, residence has three cases: First: If it is four days or less, this does not prevent shortening or combining. Second: If the residence is known to be more than four days, this prevents shortening and prevents combining. Third: If the residence is not fixed, and it is not known when it will end, this also does not prevent shortening and combining.
A492: You are asking about the residence that prevents shortening the prayer. Residence while traveling has a detailed ruling. If it is four days or less, it does not prevent shortening or combining, because he is still considered a traveler. However, if the duration exceeds four days, and he knows that he will reside for more than four days, then the travel ends and he becomes a resident. He must complete the prayer and fast Ramadan like the residents, because the travel is cut off by this residence. As for if he does not know how long the residence will last, and he stays to fulfill his need without knowing when it will end, he is also still considered a traveler, and shortening and combining are permissible. But if there is a congregation in the town praying, and they have a mosque, he should pray with them and complete the prayer, and not leave the congregation or fail to respond to the mu'adhdhin to attend the mosque, on the pretext
that he is shortening the prayer. Rather, he should pray with the congregation and complete the prayer, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever hears the call to prayer and does not respond, he has no prayer, except for one who has an excuse
من سمع النداء فلم يجب، فلا صلاة له إلا من عذر
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.