Shortening is either in quantity or in manner, and the quantity
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
His saying, the Exalted: [An-Nisa: 101] What is the precise understanding of what is meant by shortening? Is it shortening in quantity or in manner? Especially since the context is the prayer of fear?
The correct view: It is general for both this and that, but without fear, it is by quantity only.
The questioner: Without fear?The Shaykh: Without fear, and with fear, it is by both quantity and manner.
The questioner: How do we respond to the hadith of Aisha: (That the prayer was legislated as two rak'ahs, so the prayer of travel was left as is, and the prayer of residence was increased) The original is two rak'ahs, so how do we refer to it as shortening?The Shaykh: Yes, because since most of the Muslims were not travelers, they all completed the prayer, Allah the Exalted clarified that when they travel and move about the earth, there is no blame on them if they shorten the prayer. Then, the negation of blame does not mean that the prescribed practice is shortening,As Allah the Exalted said regarding al-Safa and al-Marwah: [Al-Baqarah: 158] because they were hesitant about circumambulating them, so it was clarified to them that there is no blame on them for circumambulating them, and circumambulating them is among the symbols of Allah. Likewise, there is no blame on you for shortening the prayer; because they were hesitant about that, so Allah the Exalted clarified that there is no blame. Then, one looks at its ruling, and finds that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) consistent observance of it.
And with this, this meeting ends, and until the next meeting, if Allah wills, on a day like this.
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَقْصُرُوا مِنَ الصَّلاةِThe correct view: It is general for both this and that, but without fear, it is by quantity only.
The questioner: Without fear?The Shaykh: Without fear, and with fear, it is by both quantity and manner.
The questioner: How do we respond to the hadith of Aisha: (That the prayer was legislated as two rak'ahs, so the prayer of travel was left as is, and the prayer of residence was increased) The original is two rak'ahs, so how do we refer to it as shortening?The Shaykh: Yes, because since most of the Muslims were not travelers, they all completed the prayer, Allah the Exalted clarified that when they travel and move about the earth, there is no blame on them if they shorten the prayer. Then, the negation of blame does not mean that the prescribed practice is shortening,As Allah the Exalted said regarding al-Safa and al-Marwah:
So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them
فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَاAnd with this, this meeting ends, and until the next meeting, if Allah wills, on a day like this.