Shortening the prayer
29-8-2004 | IslamWeb
Question:
I'm an Indian residing in Oman. I happened to see one of my Omani friends who was praying 2 Raka'h for Thuhar, I asked the reason why she was praying not as normally 4 Raka'h. She answered me her hometown is 12 km far from where we are working, so she is pray 2 Raka'h Thuhr and even for Asr also. I'm confused now, so now how I have to pray 2 Raka'h for Thuhr, Asr and I'shaa, as I'm from India.
This website is really very good, especially when scholars like Bilal Philips, is serving. Thanks a lot for your dedication. May Allah reward you for all of your efforts.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The scholars 
differed in opinion regarding the distance in which the prayers could be shortened. The preponderant opinion in Islamweb is a distance of 83 Km one way (either going only or coming back only). Therefore if the distance between the place of residence of your colleague and her place of work is 83 Km, then it is permissible for her to shorten the prayers of 4 Raka'h.
However, if the distance is as you have stated and less than 83 Km, then it is not permissible for her to shorten the prayers according to the preponderant opinion in Islamweb.
One of the conditions for shortening the prayers is that the traveller should not intend to stay 4 days or more, because if he intends to stay more than 4 days, the ruling which applies to a resident applies to him as well, and it is not permissible for him/her to shorten the prayers or benefit from the concessions applicable to a traveller or other concessions of travelling.
Thereupon, if you reside in the country where you are at the moment (i.e. more than 4 days), you have to perform prayers in full, and the fact that your country of origin is far away does not matter.
Allaah Knows best.