Is it permissible for a traveler to combine and shorten prayers (Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha) at home before traveling, or must they delay them until the time of Asr/Isha even if they reach their destination before that? And should a traveler pray shortened or complete prayers with the imam, or pray individually?

The shortening and combining of prayers for a traveler do not begin until he has exited the built-up area of the town where he resides and has passed beyond it. His journey must also be permissible, and its distance must reach the minimum distance for shortening prayers. If the prayer time begins before his departure, neither shortening nor combining is permissible. However, if he departs after the time has begun and he has passed beyond the built-up area, then shortening and combining are permissible for him, even if the prayer time began while he was a resident, because the criterion is the performance of the prayer.

A journey is considered ended by the intention to reside for four days, or by the presence of a wife in the place, or by the traveler entering his homeland. If a traveler prays behind a resident imam, he must complete the prayer. According to the majority of scholars, Friday prayer and congregational prayer are waived for the traveler.

When traveling, the traveler chooses what is easier for him between combining prayers by advancing (Jam' al-Taqdim) or delaying (Jam' al-Ta'khir). So, if the time for the first prayer begins while he is settled and he intends to depart, he performs the next prayer in advance. If its time begins while he is traveling, he delays the first prayer until the time of the next prayer and combines them.