Is shortening or breaking the fast preferable for the traveler?
Chapter on the Traveler's Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Shortening the prayer is preferable to completing it according to the majority of scholars, and many disliked completing it. Ahmad stated that he does not favor completion. Ibn Umar severely warned those who completed the prayer, stating that whoever contradicts the Sunnah is an unbeliever. The Prophet (peace be upon him) consistently shortened the prayer until his death, as supported by narrations from Ibn Umar, Ibn Mas'ud, and Imran ibn Husayn, indicating that shortening is the preferred Sunnah. Those who shorten fulfill the obligatory duty by agreement, whereas the matter of completion is disputed.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i, in one of his opinions, holds that completing the prayer is superior because it involves more action and number, representing the original state, similar to washing the feet during ablution being preferred over wiping. This view is held because completing is the origin (al-Asl).