10 Situations for Combining Prayers During Travel, Illness, and Necessity

10 Cases for Combining Prayers During Travel, Illness, and Necessity

Combining Prayers During Travel​

1. Practice of the Prophet ﷺ in Travel​

Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said:


"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would combine Dhuhr and ‘Asr during travel, and likewise Maghrib and ‘Isha."
(Bukhari 1107)

2. Two Types of Combining​

• Jam‘ Taqdim (Advancing):
  Pray Dhuhr and ‘Asr together at Dhuhr time, Maghrib and ‘Isha at Maghrib time.
• Jam‘ Ta’khir (Delaying):
  Pray Dhuhr and ‘Asr together at ‘Asr time, Maghrib and ‘Isha at ‘Isha time.

3. During the Battle of Tabuk​

Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (RA) narrated:
If the Prophet ﷺ set out after midday, he would combine Dhuhr and ‘Asr; if before midday, he would delay Dhuhr and combine it with ‘Asr. Similarly with Maghrib and ‘Isha depending on departure time.
(Abu Dawud 1220; Tirmidhi 553 – authenticated by Ibn Hibban)

4. When in a Hurry During Travel​

Ibn ‘Umar (RA) said:


"When the Prophet ﷺ was in haste during travel, he would delay Maghrib until ‘Isha time, then combine them."
(Bukhari 1090; Muslim 704)

5. Method of Adhan and Iqamah in Jam‘​

Jabir (RA) described:
The mu’adhdhin gave one adhan and two iqamahs — one for Dhuhr and one for ‘Asr.
(Muslim 1218)

6. At ‘Arafah During Hajj​

Ibn ‘Umar (RA):


"On the Day of ‘Arafah, combining Dhuhr and ‘Asr is Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ."
(Bukhari 1661)

7. At Muzdalifah During Hajj​

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ combined Maghrib and ‘Isha at Muzdalifah.
(Muslim 1218)


Jabir (RA):
He combined them with one adhan and two iqamahs, with no voluntary prayers in between.
(Bukhari 1674; Muslim 1287)

8. Combining Due to Severe Illness​

If a patient finds it extremely difficult to pray at the correct times, or there is danger to life, property, or honor, he may combine prayers.


Abu Sha‘tha’ Jābir said:


"I think the Prophet ﷺ delayed Dhuhr to the end of its time and prayed ‘Asr at the beginning of its time, and likewise with Maghrib and ‘Isha."
(Bukhari 1167)

9. Combining in Medina Without Travel or Fear​

Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ combined Dhuhr and ‘Asr, and Maghrib and ‘Isha in Medina without fear or rain.
When asked why, he said:


"He did not want to cause hardship for his ummah."
(Muslim 705)

10. Combining in Genuine Necessity​

‘Abdullah ibn Shaqiq narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) once delayed Maghrib until after stars appeared, then combined it with ‘Isha. Abu Hurairah (RA) confirmed this practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
(Muslim 705)

Scholarly Warning​

Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Jibreen (رحمه الله):
It is not permissible for traders to combine prayers simply to keep their shops open. Prayer must be given priority. Combining in residence is only for genuine necessity; laziness or mere busyness is not an excuse.