Extracted from: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, p. 443
Can a non-travelling person combine Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr prayers due to pressing work-related circumstances?
Questioner: Muḥammad ʿĀdil Shāh, UK
Context: "I am not a traveller, but my manager sometimes does not allow a break for prayer, either due to customers or no reason. Can I combine Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr?
An Arab scholar here said:
'It is better to combine Ẓuhr with ʿAṣr than to miss prayer altogether, but it should not become a regular habit.'"
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ If a person faces a serious hardship or a Sharʿī excuse, then occasionally combining two prayers (like Ẓuhr with ʿAṣr or Maghrib with ʿIshā’) is permissible.
✔ For further details, refer to:
Mahnāmah al-Ḥadīth, Issue 52, pp. 17–25
◈ It is not permissible to combine two prayers habitually or without a valid excuse.
✔ If the nature of the job prevents regular and timely prayer, it is more appropriate and Islamically correct to:
➤ Leave such employment, and
➤ Seek a lawful job where prayer can be offered on time without hindrance.
Conclusion:
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
Can a non-travelling person combine Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr prayers due to pressing work-related circumstances?
Questioner: Muḥammad ʿĀdil Shāh, UK
Context: "I am not a traveller, but my manager sometimes does not allow a break for prayer, either due to customers or no reason. Can I combine Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr?
An Arab scholar here said:
'It is better to combine Ẓuhr with ʿAṣr than to miss prayer altogether, but it should not become a regular habit.'"
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ If a person faces a serious hardship or a Sharʿī excuse, then occasionally combining two prayers (like Ẓuhr with ʿAṣr or Maghrib with ʿIshā’) is permissible.
✔ For further details, refer to:
Mahnāmah al-Ḥadīth, Issue 52, pp. 17–25
❖ General Rule:
◈ It is not permissible to combine two prayers habitually or without a valid excuse.
❖ Recommended and Better Solution:
✔ If the nature of the job prevents regular and timely prayer, it is more appropriate and Islamically correct to:
➤ Leave such employment, and
➤ Seek a lawful job where prayer can be offered on time without hindrance.
Conclusion:- Occasional combining of prayers is allowed in cases of necessity,
- But it must not become routine, and
- Muslims should prioritize work environments that respect the obligation of Ṣalāh.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
