Is it permissible for my parents to shorten and combine prayers on a journey exceeding 200 kilometers, given that they are staying in tents and do not know their return date, despite coming down to the city weekly or every two weeks?

Firstly: Combining and shortening prayers are not obligatory during travel; rather, shortening is a Sunnah (prophetic tradition) and combining is a Rukhsah (concession).

Secondly: It is permissible for the parents to shorten and combine prayers if they go out to the pasture and the distance is a qualifying distance for shortening prayers (approximately 80 km), or if they reside in tents for four days or less, provided that their usual residence is in the city. However, if the tent location is their permanent residence, then the rulings of travel cease upon their arrival there.

Thirdly: Whoever is accustomed to traveling and has a place of residence to return to, such as merchants and postal workers, may shorten prayers. As for one who remains in a continuous state of travel, like someone residing on a ship, they may not shorten prayers.

Fourthly: The Bedouins who move between winter and summer pastures may shorten prayers during their travel. However, when they settle in their winter or summer camps, they do not break their fast nor shorten their prayers, even if they are following pastures.