Shortening the Prayer for Those Sent Abroad

Question:
A questioner asks about long periods of travel. Some students sent abroad and others shorten the prayer for long periods and say that there are those who issue a ruling to this effect. What is your guidance? May Allah reward you.

Answer:
Answer: If a traveler intends to stay for more than four days, it is not permissible for him to shorten the prayer or combine prayers, because he has taken on the ruling of a resident. It is only the resident who does not know when his stay will end who may shorten the prayer. As for combining prayers, it is only permissible when there is a need. So he should shorten the prayer, and if he needs to combine them, he should combine them. This applies whether his stay is less than four days or more, provided he did not intend to reside there, but only wants to attend to a need, and as soon as it is finished, he will travel.