Whether it is permissible to shorten Salah even if there are rest areas on the road where they can offer Salah

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Q: We are a group of soldiers who have to attend training courses that may last at the least for one day (Part No. 6; Page No. 430) and at the most for one year. The courses are held in Al-Dawasir Valley, 80 km from where we live. We sometimes finish work before the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer and other times after it. Is it permissible, if we finish before the Zhuhr Prayer, for us to shorten and combine it with the ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayer on the journey home? It is worth mentioning that we reach home before the ‘Asr Prayer.Also, is it permissible, if we finish work after the Zhuhr Prayer, for us to combine and shorten the Zhuhr and ‘Asr Prayers in our place of work? It must be noted that there are some places to stop and rest areas on the road home where we can offer Salah.

A: It is permissible, if the training center is at least 80 km from your hometown, for you to shorten and combine the two Salahs (Prayers) on your journey and in the workplace. This is so, unless you intend to stay at your workplace, or any other place, for more than four days, in this case, you have to perform Salah in full during your stay. However, when you are on your journey, you may shorten and combine the two Salahs, even if you reach home at the time of the second Salah, but it is better to offer the first Salah on the way and delay the second one and perform it after reaching your hometown.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.