The Ruling on Shortening the Prayer and Breaking the Fast in Ramadan for One Who Resides for a Long Period

Question:
Among his questions is this one: He says: Shaykh, if a man travels to a country for a mission or for study, and the duration of the travel is four or five years, does he shorten the prayer? I have read in a book by its author that he shortens the prayer and breaks his fast in Ramadan. Is there a difference of opinion on this? I hope you will give us the stronger position, may Allah reward you.

Answer:
My brother, there is a difference between the traveler and the resident. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has permitted the traveler to shorten the prayer and to break his fast in Ramadan. As for the resident, it is obligatory for him to fast in Ramadan and it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer. If he knows that he will reside for a long period exceeding four days, it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer and it is obligatory for him to fast in Ramadan, because his state of travel has ended with this residence, especially a long residence such as residence for study.
Or any other of the long residences, he is not called a traveler in this case, but rather he is called a resident. The default for the resident is to complete the prayer and fast in Ramadan. And if someone tells you or issues a fatwa, the criterion is the evidence, not the criterion is the words of the people who exercise independent legal reasoning, who err and who hit the mark. Yes.