al-Tabbā‘ narrated to us, saying: Al-Qāsim ibn Mūsā al-Faqīr narrated to us, from ‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Thābit ibn Thawbān, from his father, from Makhūl, from Ibn Muhayrīz:

Abū Ayyūb al-Ansārī, Abū Sirmah al-Ansārī, and ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir spent the winter in Byzantine territory. They fasted Ramadan, observed its night prayers, and prayed the prayers in full.

Al-Athram said: Qabīsah narrated to us, saying: Sufyān narrated to us, from Mansūr, from Abū Wā’il, who said: Masrūq went to al-Silsilah and shortened his prayers. He remained there for years, shortening his prayers, and continued doing so until he returned.

He was asked, “Abū ‘Ā’ishah, what makes you do this?”

He replied, “Following the Sunnah.”

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Those who did not consider it disliked for a traveller to pray four rak‘ahs believed that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had done so, or that some of his Companions had done so during his lifetime and he had approved it. They believed that a traveller’s praying either two or four rak‘ahs was comparable to fasting or not fasting during Ramadan. Numerous authentic hadiths report that they would travel with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, some fasting and others not fasting. The scholars unanimously agree that these reports are authentic. As for the reports they cited about praying four rak‘ahs, some scholars considered them authentic, and al-Shāfi‘ī and some of Ahmad’s followers relied on them as evidence.

After mentioning the Prophet’s words, peace and blessings be upon him,

“It is a charity Allah has bestowed upon you, so accept His charity,”

al-Shāfi‘ī said: This indicates that shortening prayers while travelling without fear is a charity from Allah, and charity