He would tell the people to complete their four cycle prayer [alone]...

He would tell the people to complete their four cycle prayer [alone], he excused himself, and those who had come with him since they were travelers.

Ibn Abi Shayba has narrated with a chain of authority from the Prophet of God (S) that he said: "The best of my community are those who bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Prophet of God and those who, when good is done to them, they rejoice and when evil is done to them they forgive, and when they travel they shorten [their prayers]." From Anas: According to what Muslim has reported from two sources in his Sahih: He said: "I prayed the zuhr in four cycles in Medina with the Prophet of God (S), then I prayed two cycles of the `asr with him at Dhu'l-Hulayfa as a traveller." Many authentic traditions clearly indicate that Allah, the most Mighty and Glorious, has legislated the taqsir when traveling.

The Legislation of ‘Iftar’ (breaking of the fast) There is no dispute that Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, legislated the iftar in the month of Ramadhan for anyone who travels [a distance] for which he had to shorten the prayer. This much the Muslim community has agreed upon (across the board of different schools of jurisprudence). The book (Holy Quran), and the ‘sunnah’ (modus operandi of Prophet A.S.) have established it clearly.

The Almighty Allah (S.W.T.) says: "The month of Ramadhan is the one in which the Qur'an has been revealed as a guide for the people, and an explanation of guidance, and the furqan (criterion); whoever amongst you who witnesses it (at home) should observe the fast.

One who is sick or on a journey then [he will fast] a number of other days, Allah wishes ease for you, he does not wish difficulty, so complete the prescribed days." (2:185) When the Prophet of God (S) travelled in the month of Ramadhan he would break the fast, and would tell the people of his ‘iftar’. He would deem observing the fast when travelling to be a sin. He emphasized this by saying: "It is not virtuous that you fast when traveling," you will read all of that by his (S) words.