What is the difference between a traveler and a resident regarding shortening the prayer while traveling, and if he knows the time of his return, is it permissible for him to shorten?

The questioner : Our Shaykh, regarding the difference of opinion among the schools of jurisprudence on the issue of shortening the prayer while traveling.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : And the principle: Who is the one who says that shortening is permissible when the time of return is known, and who is the one who says it is not permissible? We want to know our Shaykh’s opinion on this issue.

The Shaykh : I did not understand what you said.

The questioner : If you are a traveler and you know that you will return at a specific time, such as in the sixth month of the year or in the seventh month when the exams end, if you are a student or a scholar, and as long as it is known that your time of return is fixed, naturally they cite the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas or the report of Ibn 'Abbas: "When he was in Azerbaijan with the Muslim army, he did not know the time of his return, so he used to shorten the prayer."

The Shaykh : Yes, he did not know anything, and he knew and intended to reside for a certain period. Ibn 'Umar did not know; he was determined to return, but because of the snow, he did not know when he would come back. As for the one who goes to a university, whether it is in an Arab country or a foreign country, he goes there intending to reside for study, so he is considered a resident. But the man who goes for trade or to follow up on some of his works and interests, and then he does not know when he will finish that follow-up, he is a traveler until he returns to his country. So, the one who intends to reside and plans to reside is called a resident. And the one who is hesitating between today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and so on, and his stay is prolonged until months, as happened to Ibn 'Umar, he is a traveler and not a resident.