is because the uninterrupted Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah has conclusively shown that while travelling he never performed more than two units for the prayers of Zuhr, ʿAsr, and ʿIshāʾ. Likewise, when he led the people during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he did not lead them in Mina or elsewhere in anything but two-unit prayers. The same practice was followed by Abū Bakr after him—he prayed only two units—and ʿUmar after him, who also prayed only two.

Hence, anyone who claims that the Prophet prayed four units for Zuhr, ʿAsr, or ʿIshāʾ while on a journey is mistaken. The report ascribed to ʿĀʾishah on this matter is weak to begin with, and on top of that it has been altered. The wording of the report is that she said to the Prophet, “You broke your fast while I kept fasting; you shortened the prayer whereas I completed it.” He replied, “You have done well, O ʿĀʾishah.” Thus, despite its weakness and the presence of