Shortening and Combining Prayers in Long Travel and the Ruling on Traveling to Lands of Disbelief

Question:
The questioner says: When I travel outside the Kingdom, is it permissible to shorten and combine prayers, even though my trip is sometimes for a month or more? And am I required to perform voluntary prayers?

Answer:
Every traveler has an intention. Combining is permissible if it is during the travel. However, if the travel is to the outside to lands of disbelief, it is not permissible to travel to lands of disbelief except for a legitimate Shari'ah interest, such as calling to Allah, going to call people to Allah, a scholar calling to Allah, or teaching people. As for traveling for leisure and tourism in a land of disbelief, this is not permissible; it is a great danger. Therefore, it is obligatory to be cautious of that. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: One should not travel to lands of disbelief except out of dire necessity, or for the call to Allah the Exalted, or to teach people good. The traveler shortens his prayers; as long as he is traveling, he shortens. Except if he stays in a place for more than four days and intends to reside there, completing four days. As long as he is passing through a place, staying for a day or two, and then moving on, he shortens. As long as he is traveling, he combines. Except if he intends to reside in a specific place for more than four days; then he does not shorten unless it is more than four days, and he prays four rak'ahs. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.