Dispensations for Travel Rulings When Visiting One's Father

Question:
The questioner says: I live in Riyadh and I go to visit my father in the south. I do not own a house, so he says I stay with my father. Does he apply the dispensations of travel? He says he goes to visit his father in the south and stays with him in his house. Is he allowed to apply the dispensations of travel?

Answer:
If he is not a resident of that town, but rather he went there only for a visit, and his stay is less than four days, there is no harm in applying the dispensations, because he is still a traveler. However, it is better for him not to leave the congregational prayer, not to leave the mosque, and not to say, “I will pray the shortened prayer.” Rather, he should pray with the congregation and complete the prayer with the Muslims, for that brings more reward and goodness, praise be to Allah. But as for the ruling, if he shortens the prayer in this case, where his stay is less than four days and then he returns to his place of residence and settlement, there is no harm in that, and his prayer is valid.