Is the traveler's prayer obligatory shortened, complete, or combined?

The distance between Makkah and Abha permits shortening (Qasr) and combining (Jam') prayers, and it is better to shorten the four-rak'ah prayers. Shortening and combining prayers is permissible for one who has entered for a need and does not know when it will be fulfilled. However, if one intends to reside for four full days (excluding the days of arrival and departure), then it is not permissible for him to shorten or combine prayers. What the questioner and those with him did is correct if they did not intend to reside, otherwise, whoever shortened prayers after intending to reside must repeat the prayer, and they are not permitted to combine prayers as long as they are residents.