Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 8392 — Those who used to shorten the prayer

Abu Nadrah said: Sayyiduna Imran bin Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by our gathering. A young man stood up and said to him: Tell us how the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray during Hajj, jihad and Umrah. He came and stood near us and said: He has asked me about a matter that I want you also to hear. I took part in jihad with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); he would pray two rak'ahs until he returned to Madinah. I performed Hajj with him; he would pray two rak'ahs until he came back to Madinah. I stayed in Makkah with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the year of the Conquest of Makkah; he stayed there eighteen nights. During that time he would lead two rak'ahs of prayer, and then, after saying the salam, he would say to the people of Makkah: "Complete your four rak'ahs, for we are travellers." I performed three Umrahs with him; he prayed only two rak'ahs. I performed Hajj and jihad with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him); he would pray only two rak'ahs until he came back to Madinah. I performed several Hajjs with Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him); he would pray only two rak'ahs until he came back to Madinah. I performed Hajj for seven years during the rule of Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him); he too would pray only two rak'ahs. Then he prayed four rak'ahs at Mina.