The traveller's prayer: shortening and combining

And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt you.sura an-Nisa 101

Fear is mentioned as a case, but the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) shortened in complete safety. 'Aisha said:

Prayer was set at two rak'as in travel, then completed in residence.al-Bukhari 1190

Shortening is a sunnah of travel, not a concession to be lifted.

Shortening (qasr)

Dhuhr, asr and isha drop from four to two rak'as. Maghrib and fajr remain complete (Muslim 686). Shortening applies as soon as one leaves one's town on a real journey, for the majority; Malikis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis set the minimum distance at 48 miles, about 86 km, the equivalent of two moderate days of travel; Hanafis require a distance of three days' travel.

Combining (jam')

• Combining early: dhuhr with asr at dhuhr's time; maghrib with isha at maghrib's time.
• Combining late: at the time of the second.
• Conditions: granted in pilgrimage at 'Arafa and Muzdalifa by consensus (Muslim 1218). In travel: Malikis and Hanbalis admit it broadly (rain, hardship, need); Shafi'is restrict it strictly; Hanafis restrict it heavily.

Practical notes

• The traveller on the road does not perform Friday; he prays dhuhr as two rak'as.
• He remains a traveller as long as he has not decided to reside; one who settles indefinitely resumes full prayers.
• On long-haul flights, prayer is shortened for the one in travel status.