Fiqh Guide: Organized Q&A on Combining Salah (Prayer)
Category: General Principles of Combining Salah
Q: Is there evidence in Islam for combining two prayers, such as Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha? A: Yes, it is established through authentic Ahadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the Sunan collections (such as Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah) that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم combined Dhuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Isha on several occasions.
Q: What is the difference between combining and shortening the prayers? A:
- Shortening Salah (qasr) means reducing the number of rak’ahs in a prayer and is only permissible for travelers.
- Combining Salah (jam’) means praying two prayers at the time of one (e.g., Dhuhr and Asr together) and can be allowed even when not traveling under specific circumstances.
Q: Did the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also shorten the Salah when combining? A: Yes, but shortening is only for travelers. A resident is not allowed to shorten Salah under any circumstances.
Q: Can a sick person shorten the Salah? A: No. A sick person must pray the full number of rak’ahs, even if praying while sitting, lying down, or with gestures.
Q: What is the original ruling regarding the number of rak’ahs for prayers? A: Initially, obligatory prayers were two rak’ahs each. For travelers, this remains. For residents, Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha were increased to four rak’ahs.
Category: Permissibility of Combining for Residents
Q: Is combining the prayers allowed for residents? A: Yes, according to the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, under valid reasons. It must not become habitual.
Q: What are the valid reasons for combining prayers for a resident? A: Severe illness, hardship, severe weather conditions (rain, snow, extreme cold), fear, or similar difficulties.
Category: Combining Due to Rain
Q: Is there evidence that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم combined Maghrib and Isha due to rain? A: Yes. To ease hardship, the Prophet combined Maghrib and Isha during heavy rain.
Q: According to the Maliki school of thought, can Dhuhr and Asr be combined during rain? A: No. Only Maghrib and Isha are combined during rain according to the Maliki school.
Q: What is the view of the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools of thought regarding combining Dhuhr and Asr? A: They allow it, citing authentic narration from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet combined prayers without rain, fear, or war, to lift hardship.
Q: Can Dhuhr and Asr prayers be combined when it rains? A: Yes, if genuine hardship exists.
Q: Can we combine prayers when it rains today? A:
- Heavy rain causing hardship: Permissible.
- Light rain with no hardship: Better to pray at prescribed times.
Q: Why did the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم combine prayers during rain? A: Due to thick mud and severe difficulty in reaching the masjid.
Category: Hardship as a Basis for Combining
Q: What is the jurisprudential principle that allows combining prayers in cases of hardship? A: “المشقة تجلب التيسير” — “Hardship brings about ease.”
Q: Can severe cold weather be a reason for combining prayers? A: Yes, by qiyas (analogy) with hardship caused by rain.
Q: How is hardship determined when people’s circumstances differ? A: Hardship is assessed based on recognized custom (‘urf) and general public understanding, not individual opinions.
Q: In severe cold weather, is combining prayers permitted based on individual tolerance? A: No. Collective hardship must be recognized.
Q: How is the threshold of hardship determined? A: When recognized authorities (e.g., weather alerts) and the community acknowledge severe hardship.
Q: Is it permissible to combine prayers whenever it feels cold personally? A: No. Only genuine, community-recognized hardship permits combination.
Q: Is it valid for an Imam to combine prayers just because he feels cold? A: No. Personal discomfort is not a Shari’ah basis for combining.
Category: Special Rulings for High Latitudes (Absence of True Nightfall)
Q: What is the ruling regarding the nightfall and Isha prayer time in high latitudes during summer? A: True night does not occur between May 14th and July 30th in regions above 45 degrees latitude.
Q: What is the Fiqh ruling regarding Isha prayer when true night does not occur? A: It is permissible to combine Maghrib and Isha due to the absence of a valid Isha time.
Q: From which dates is there no true Isha time and what should be done? A: Between May 14th and July 30th:
- Permissible to combine Maghrib and Isha.
- Alternatively, estimate Isha time.
Q: Can someone combine Maghrib and Isha prayers before May 14th due to personal hardship? A:
- Group: No, not permissible.
- Individual: Yes, if genuine personal hardship exists.
Q: Why is it forbidden for masajid to declare prayer combination before May 14th? A: Because fiqh rulings require valid Shari’ah reasons and should not follow personal desires.
Category: Estimation vs. Combining Salah
Q: Is it better to combine Maghrib and Isha or to estimate Isha time and pray separately? A: It is better to estimate and pray separately, closer to the Sunnah.
Q: Why is it preferred to estimate and pray separately rather than combine? A: Based on the Hadith of Dajjal, where the Prophet instructed to “estimate” prayer times during prolonged days.
Q: How should prayer times be estimated when there are no clear signs? A: Calculate based on an estimated normal time between magrib and isha.
Q: What did the Shafi’i and Maliki scholars say regarding estimating prayer times when signs disappear? A: They affirmed estimation based on the Prophet’s clear instruction: “Aqdiru lahu qadrah.”
Q: What should be done if hardship exists due to very late Isha times (e.g., 11:30 PM or later)? A: When genuine hardship exists, it becomes permissible to combine Maghrib and Isha.
Q: Under what principle is combining allowed when hardship exists? A: “المشقة تجلب التيسير” (Hardship brings about ease).