Is a continuous traveler, such as a muleteer who spends all his time traveling, permitted to shorten prayers?
Chapter on the Traveler's Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
A muleteer who is continuously traveling is permitted to shorten prayers, provided he stops and resides for one day. Imam Ahmad clarified that if he stays for one or two or three days in preparation for travel, he is permitted to shorten the prayer.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi and Abu al-Khattab held that the muleteer does not have the concession to shorten prayers, analogizing him to the boatman. This view is considered incorrect because the muleteer is a traveler deserving of concession, and the analogy to the boatman fails since the boatman's situation involves his residence, necessities, and family all within the ship, which is not the case for the muleteer.