Is it permissible to shorten the prayer from the time of departure until return, even if the duration is long?

The questioner : Yes. Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.

The questioner : Shaykh, if you please, I have some questions about travel. If I travel from my place of residence to another country, is it valid for me to pray the four-rak'ah prayer as two rak'ahs, each prayer in its time, in the other country?

The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment. Yes, it is permissible for you to pray the four-rak'ah prayer as two rak'ahs from the time you leave your country until you return to it.

The questioner : But, but.

The Shaykh : If you are in a country where the congregation is held and you hear the call, that is, the adhan, you must attend the mosque and pray with the people.

The questioner : Yes, but regardless of the duration, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Regardless of the duration, because it has not been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he specified a certain limit for his Ummah such that it would be said: whoever exceeds this limit must complete the prayer.