If he remembers a prayer from a journey while resident, or a prayer from residence while travelling, the discussion of both cases has already preceded.
If he remembers a prayer from residence while resident, he performs it as four rak'ahs. Thus, the issue has four scenarios:
- He remembers a prayer from a journey while travelling: he shortens it.
- He remembers a prayer from residence while resident: he performs it in full.
- He remembers a prayer from a journey while resident: according to the correct view, he shortens it.
- He remembers a prayer from residence while travelling: he performs it in full.
“If he is prevented from travelling and does not intend to reside, or he remains in order to fulfil a need without intending to reside, he continues shortening indefinitely.”
His statement, “If he is prevented from travelling,” means that he is prevented from continuing his journey.
His statement, “and does not intend to reside,” means that he does not intend to remain for a specified period. He therefore shortens the prayer, even if the period becomes lengthy.
The author’s words, “if he is prevented,” do not specify the type of prevention. They therefore include one prevented unjustly; one detained lawfully; one prevented by an enemy; one prevented by illness; one prevented by changes in the weather; and one prevented out of fear for his life. Thus, whoever is prevented from travelling for any reason may shorten the prayer.
The evidence for this is that Ibn Umar was held up by snow in Azerbaijan for six months, while shortening the prayer (1). Ibn Umar was a Companion, and the sounder view is that a Companion’s actions and statements constitute proof subject to two conditions:
- That they do not contradict a textual proof.