—for twenty days in Tabuk was devoted to assessing the situation with the Byzantine forces—whether to press forward or to withdraw—until Allah permitted him to return. He cited this episode, along with the story of the Conquest, to show that there is no objection to shortening the prayer during an incidental stay, even if it becomes lengthy. The scholars have even stated: “Were a person to remain for years, so long as he has not firmly resolved to reside, he is still considered a traveller and enjoys the rulings of travel.” This is the correct view.

If, however, he does determine to settle, the scholars have differed over the threshold of that intended stay: should it be set at twenty days, nineteen days, three days, or four days? The best opinion is four days, because that was the Prophet’s stay during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Thus, if one firmly intends to remain more than four days, he must pray in full; but if his intended stay is four days or fewer, he may shorten, for this is a fixed yet short stay. This is the position of al-Shāfiʿī, Aḥmad, and Mālik, and by adopting their view the textual proofs are reconciled and abuses are prevented. It is also the safer course, for, as the majority say, the limit is four days: whatever exceeds that is not unanimously agreed upon, and whatever is less—