What is the validity of the statement that it is better for a group of travelers not to pray in the mosques so that they do not miss the recommended practice of shortening the prayer?

The questioner : The Shaykh:

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you. It is mentioned that some scholars hold the view that it is better for travelers, if they are in a group, not to pray in the mosques, because if they pray in the mosques, they miss the recommended practice of shortening the prayer, whereas if they pray in congregation, they combine two recommended practices: the congregation and the shortening.

The Shaykh : Yes, did you finish?

The questioner : I finished, yes.

The Shaykh : This is a weak opinion, because the generality of his saying: indicates that it is obligatory for whoever hears the call to respond to it. There is no evidence that the congregational prayer is dropped for the traveler; rather, the evidence indicates that the congregational prayer is obligatory for the traveler, based on the saying of the Exalted: And since the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered them to pray with the congregation, even while changing some of the characteristics of the prayer in the prayer of fear, this indicates that it is not permissible to divide the people, with some praying in their homes as travelers and others praying in their mosques as residents. Rather, we say: It is obligatory for you to pray with the imam. Their statement that they caught the congregation is not correct, except according to the opinion of one who holds that the intended meaning of the congregation is establishing the congregation, even in the home. This is undoubtedly a weak opinion, even if this is the intended meaning of the school of thought, it is a weak opinion. The correct view is that it is obligatory for the traveler and the non-traveler, if they hear the call, to respond to it. Yes, yes, O 'Abd Allah.