Ruling on offering Salah and observing Sawm during travel

Q 1: What are the rulings related to Salah (Prayer) and Sawm (Fast) during travel? Which is better: offering Salah in full and observing Sawm, or making use of the Rukhsah (concession), i.e. Shortening Salah and breaking Sawm? Please, bear in mind that long-distance travel at the present time neither takes much time nor causes hardship.

A: It is permissible for a traveler during Ramadan to break Sawm and shorten the four-Rak`ah Salahs (Prayers consisting of four units), which is the better course of action than Sawm and offering complete number of Rak`ahs. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah loves that His Concessions be availed of, just as He loves that His Commands be abided by. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: It is not righteousness to fast while traveling. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.