What is the determining factor for permissibility of shortening prayer during travel?
Chapter on the Traveler's Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The permissibility of shortening prayer (*Qasr*) is based on intention (*Niyyah*), not merely the physical act of traveling. A traveler must intend to cover a distance that permits shortening the prayer. If a person intends a journey allowing *Qasr*, shortens their prayer, and then decides to return, the prayers performed are valid and complete (not shortened) during the return journey, unless the distance of the return trip itself qualifies for shortening. Ahmad bin Hanbal explicitly stated this ruling. If a person travels for days but does not intend a specific distance allowing *Qasr*, such as searching for an escaped slave without knowing his location, seeking rain or pasture where he will settle upon finding it, or traveling aimlessly (*Sa'ih*), shortening the prayer is not permissible for him.
Supporting text
Ibn Aqil permits shortening the prayer if the traveler reaches a distance that qualifies, because he is considered a long-distance traveler. The primary argument against this is that since he did not intend the qualifying distance at the outset, it is not permitted during the journey, similar to the commencement of the journey. Furthermore, since shortening was not permitted at the beginning without a change of intention, it should not be permitted mid-journey if the intention remains unchanged, analogous to short travel or traveling in disobedience (*Safar al-Ma'siyah*).