Combining Prayers Due to Rain: Islamic Ruling

Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Question: Can prayers be combined due to rain? Please provide guidance based on the Quran and Sunnah.

Obligation of Praying on Time​

Allah (SWT) has commanded us to perform prayers at their prescribed times. Therefore, every prayer must be offered within its designated time. Praying outside of its time requires a valid Shari’ah evidence. Without such evidence, performing any prayer before or after its stipulated time is not permissible. Similarly, combining prayers also requires clear evidence.

The Prophet's Practice of Combining Prayers​

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) combined prayers during specific circumstances, such as travel. If the journey began after the sun passed its zenith (Zuhr time), he would perform Zuhr and Asr together during Zuhr time. Similarly, Maghrib and Isha would be offered together during Maghrib time. Conversely, if the journey began before the sun's zenith, Zuhr would be delayed and combined with Asr at the start of Asr time, and Maghrib would be delayed and combined with Isha at the start of Isha time.

References:

• Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer During Travel, Chapter on Combining Two Prayers (1220)
• Bayhaqi (3/162)
• Dar Qutni (1/393)
• Tirmidhi (553)
• Musnad al-Mustakhraj by Abu Nu`aym (2/294)

Combining Prayers for a Resident (Non-Traveler)​

At times, a resident may also combine prayers, as stated in Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Chapter on Combining Two Prayers (705).

However, there is a debate on how a resident should combine prayers:

1. Should Zuhr be prayed along with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha?
2. Or should Zuhr be delayed to the beginning of Asr, and Maghrib delayed to the beginning of Isha?

Preferred Method for Residents​

The correct view is that a resident cannot combine prayers in the same manner as a traveler (i.e., performing them together at the same time). Instead, a resident should:

• Delay Zuhr to the beginning of Asr time and perform Asr immediately thereafter.
• Similarly, delay Maghrib to the end of its time and perform Isha at the beginning of its time.

Clarification of Hadiths on Combining Prayers​

Those who argue that residents can combine prayers as travelers do may have misunderstood the relevant Hadiths. For instance:

• Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) narrates from Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
  “The Prophet (ﷺ) combined seven (Maghrib and Isha) and eight (Zuhr and Asr) units of prayer in Medina.”
  (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Prayer Times, Chapter on Delaying Zuhr to Asr, 543)

Imam Bukhari uses this Hadith to highlight delaying Zuhr until Asr and Maghrib until Isha, ensuring prayers remain within their prescribed times.

• Imam al-Nasa’i (رحمه الله) further clarifies the method in another narration of Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
  "I prayed with the Prophet (ﷺ) in Medina, where he delayed Zuhr and hastened Asr, and delayed Maghrib and hastened Isha."
  (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Book of Prayer Times, Chapter on When a Resident Can Combine Prayers, 590)

This shows that the Prophet (ﷺ) delayed the earlier prayer and hastened the later prayer, ensuring both were performed within their prescribed times.

Conclusion​

Based on authentic narrations and the scholarly insights of Imam Bukhari and Imam al-Nasa’i, it is clear that a resident combining prayers should:

1. Delay the earlier prayer (e.g., Zuhr or Maghrib) to the end of its time.
2. Perform the later prayer (e.g., Asr or Isha) at the beginning of its time.

This practice allows combining prayers while maintaining their respective timeframes.
Allah knows best.