Requesting clarification on the rulings of shortening the prayer, and whether there is a specific duration for shortening, how that duration is calculated, and whether the day of arrival and the day of departure are included in the duration for shortening.

The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh. What is the clarification of the rulings of shortening the prayer? And if there is a specific duration for shortening, how is that duration calculated? And are the day of arrival and the day of departure included in the duration for shortening?

The Shaykh : Shortening the prayer is a confirmed recommended practice, and it has been said that it is obligatory if a person travels, meaning he leaves his town. However, if he stops in a town where the congregational prayer is established, it is obligatory for him to attend the congregation. If he attends the congregation, they will complete the prayer, so he must complete it with the imam, whether he catches the entire prayer or part of it, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): As for if he is in a town where the congregational prayer is not established, or if he is far from the mosque such that the obligation of attending the congregational prayer is lifted from him due to the distance, then he prays two rak'ahs, meaning he prays shortened, until he returns to his town. Allah the Exalted and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not specify a duration in which shortening is permissible and beyond which it is not permissible. Rather, travel is absolute, whether long or short. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. The questioner from Algeria, A.A., says.