Method of Combining Prayers and Its Rulings

Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, pp. 148

Question​

What is the method of combining prayers, and under what circumstances is it permissible to combine them?

Answer​

Combining prayers is permissible under the following circumstances:

➊ While Traveling:

• When one is in a state of travel, one may combine the ṣalāh of Ẓuhr with ʿAṣr, and Maghrib with ʿIsha’.

➋ During Rain or Hardship:

• If it is raining heavily or if circumstances make it difficult or burdensome for people to return to the mosque, prayers may be combined.

Two Modes of Combining​

① Jamʿ al-Muqaddim (Early Combination):

• If Ẓuhr is prayed at its beginning time together with ʿAṣr, or Maghrib at its beginning time together with ʿIsha’, this is called Jamʿ al-Muqaddim.

② Jamʿ al-Mu’akhkhir (Delayed Combination):

• If Ẓuhr is delayed until the time of ʿAṣr, or Maghrib is delayed until the time of ʿIsha’, this is called Jamʿ al-Mu’akhkhir.

Both modes are legally valid, and choosing between them is left to the convenience of the people.

Rulings Regarding Sunnah Prayers​

➊ While Traveling:

• The sunnah prayers are dispensed with; only the obligatory prayers need to be performed.

➋ In a State of Residence (Ḥaḍar):

• If one combines prayers while not traveling (e.g., at home or under normal circumstances), the intermediate sunnahs are dispensed with.

(Source: Ahl al-Ḥadīth Suhadrā, Vol. 6, Issue 46)