Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 8379 — Those who used to shorten the prayer

Al-Rabi' bin Nadlah said: We set out on a journey, twelve or thirteen men; all of them except me had been in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). When the time of prayer came, they all began pushing one another forward to lead the prayer. A young man among them stepped forward and prayed four rak'ahs. When he had finished leading the prayer, Sayyiduna Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Why should we pray four rak'ahs? Two rak'ahs, half of the four, are sufficient for us; we are more in need of lightening. At this they all said: O Abu Abdullah! You lead us in prayer. He said: You, the Children of Isma'il, are the imams, and we are the ministers.