Did I issue a fatwa without knowledge when I authorized travelers to combine and shorten the 'Asr prayer, knowing that I did not ask them about the duration of their current stay or their arrival time, and is it a condition to intend combining before the Dhuhr prayer?

The questioner should have inquired about the condition of the two individuals and the distance of their journey before issuing a fatwa (definition) regarding shortening and combining prayers. This is because a mufti (definition) does not give an absolute answer to an issue that requires detail, as errors often occur in such cases. He must repent and not repeat such an act. We note that a traveler's journey does not cease until he stays four days and nights or more. Also, if a traveler prays Dhuhr combined and shortened during the time of Dhuhr, and then arrives at his village during the time of Asr, he is not required to repeat the Asr prayer. Furthermore, there must be an intention to combine prayers when commencing the Dhuhr prayer for anyone who intends to combine them.