If one commences travel and shortens the prayers, then it becomes evident that one must
return, and one has only traveled a short distance, what is the ruling on his prayers?
His prayers are valid since the precept to be followed is one's intention to complete the distance of travel and not actually completing the full distance. The required condition of shortening the prayer is that one resolves in the beginning of his travel to traverse a given distance, and if he both leaves and heads out with such intention then he is permitted to shorten the prayer.
