I accompanied Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and he never offered more than two rak`at during the journey. Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman used to do the same.
Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 1102
Narration Analysis
This hadith narrated by Ibn 'Umar establishes the Prophetic practice of shortening the four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'at during travel, a Sunnah confirmed by the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Juridical Ruling
The consensus of scholars holds that shortening prayers during travel is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah), not merely a concession. The traveler should pray Dhuhr, 'Asr, and 'Isha' as two rak'at each while maintaining the full number for Fajr and Maghrib.
Conditions for Shortening
The journey must meet the minimum distance recognized by scholars (approximately 48 miles/77 km). The traveler remains in the state of journeying until they return to their hometown or intend to reside in a new location for more than four days according to the Hanafi school, or fifteen days according to the Shafi'i school.
Significance of Caliphal Confirmation
The mention of Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman practicing the same emphasizes the continuity of this Sunnah and rejects any claims of abrogation. This collective practice constitutes ijma' (consensus) among the Companions regarding the permanence of prayer shortening during travel.