The scholars differed in determining the duration of shortening the prayer, due to their different interpretations of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) action. There is no specific duration mentioned, as the Quranic verse only mentions shortening the prayer without specifying a duration: ‘And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you.’ [AN-NISA’ 4:101].”
The criterion that the scholars relied on in determining the duration of shortening the prayer is the action of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his travels. The Hanafis concluded that the duration is fifteen days, and whoever exceeds that should not shorten their prayer during this trip. The majority of scholars, on the other hand, concluded that it is four days, but they differed on the inclusion of the days of arrival and departure; the Shafi’is and Malikis concluded that it is four days excluding the days of arrival and departure, while the Hanbalis concluded that it is 20 obligatory prayers, without taking into account the days of arrival and departure.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr