Explaining the duration for which a traveler shortens his prayer

Question:
I was on a trip to London and did not initially decide to stay for a specific period, so I prayed with shortening and combining. Then, when I decided to stay for a specific period, I completed the prayer. What is the ruling?

Answer:
What you did is the opinion of the majority of the scholars of knowledge, and Ibn al-Mundhir reported it as a consensus. The authentic Sunnah indicates that it is prescribed for the traveler to shorten the prayer during travel, and likewise it is prescribed for him to combine the two prayers when the cause for it is present, provided he did not intend to stay for a specific period. However, if he intended to stay for a specific period exceeding four days, it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer according to the majority. Some scholars of knowledge said that he may shorten the prayer as long as he did not intend to settle in that place, but rather stayed due to a temporary circumstance that, once it is removed, he will travel. This is a strong opinion supported by many hadiths. In any case, you did well in what you did, because by completing the prayer when you intended to stay for a specific period exceeding four days, you avoided the disagreement and adopted the most cautious course.