this position as well as others. Moreover, positions contrary to it are reliably reported from other Companions.

There is a third approach, adopted by some followers of al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad: that this prescribed distance is reported from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Thus, Ibn Khuzaymah relates in Mukhtasar al-Mukhtasar, from Ibn ‘Abbās, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“People of Mecca, do not shorten your prayers for a journey of less than four postal stages, from Mecca to ‘Usfān.”

Those versed in hadith know that this is falsely attributed to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace; rather, it is a statement of Ibn ‘Abbās. Do you suppose that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, specified the distance for shortening prayers only for the people of Mecca, but not for the people of Medina—the home of the Sunnah, migration and support—or for the rest of the Muslims? How could he have said this when it is established through mass-transmitted reports that the people of Mecca prayed behind him at ‘Arafah, Muzdalifah and Minā? The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never defined travel by any distance, whether one postal stage or otherwise, nor by any duration.

Mālik is reported to have specified four postal stages, like al-Layth, al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad. This is the position for which he is well known. He said: “If it is a region without milestones, they should not shorten their prayers for less than a day and a night’s journey with baggage.” He said: “This is my preferred measure for shortening the prayer.”

It has also been related from him that prayers may only be shortened for a journey of forty-five miles or more. Another report from him specifies forty-two miles or more, and another specifies forty miles or more. Ismā‘īl ibn Abī Uways narrated from him: