A person living in Riyadh and heading for Al-Kharj

Q: Please, be informed that I live in the city of Riyadh and work in the city of Al-Kharj where I go everyday, is it permissible for me to shorten and combine the Salah (Prayers) or not? It should be mentioned that I have measured the distance between the borders of the two cities (that is to say the inhabited area in both cities) and found that the distance from the last district of Al-Kharj towards Riyadh which is "Al-Bida‘ District" until the buildings of the national guards through Al-Kahrj road (the last area inhabited towards Al-Kharj) is only fifty seven kilometers. However, if we add the utilities of the two cities of factories, workshops and others, the distance will be much less than that. In this case, is it permissible for employees, workers and others who move between these two cities to shorten and combine Salah?

A: The distance at which a traveler is given travel concessions according to the opinion of the Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars) is a two-day journey by camel which is nearly estimated by eighty kilometers. Therefore, whoever travels for this distance or more is to be given the concessions of travel such as shortening of (Part No. 6; Page No. 392) the quatrain Salah to two Rak‘ahs (units of prayers), combining Zhuhr (Noon) and ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayers, as well as Maghrib (Sunset) and ‘Isha’ (Night) either at the time of the earlier or the later ones, in addition to not fasting in case of Sawm (Fast), and wiping over the Khuffs (leather socks) for three days and their nights. Whereas the distance mentioned in the question is not a distance over which it is permissible to shorten Salah nor eligible for travel concessions.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.