Mukhtasar Muslim

Hafs bin Asim said: I was with Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) on the way to Makkah, so he led us in two rak'ahs of Zuhr prayer. Then he went on and we went with him until we reached our place of stay and sat down, and we sat with him. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the place where the prayer had been performed, and he saw some people standing. He asked, "What are they doing?" I said, "They are offering Sunnah prayers." He said, "If I had to offer Sunnah, I would have completed the prayer (i.e., performed the full four rak'ahs of the obligatory prayer)." Then he said, "O nephew! I accompanied the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) during travel, and he never prayed more than two rak'ahs as long as he lived. I also accompanied Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and he too never prayed more than two rak'ahs as long as he lived. I also accompanied Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and he too never prayed more than two rak'ahs as long as he lived. I also accompanied Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and he too never prayed more than two rak'ahs as long as he lived. And Allah Almighty has said that in the life of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) there is a good example for you."