Combining Dhuhr and Asr at Work Daily
1. The Shari Context
Prayer times are fixed by revelation. Allah says:
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times.”
Surat al Nisa 4:103
The default rule is that each prayer must be performed within its designated time.
However, the Prophet ﷺ combined prayers in certain situations. Ibn Abbas reported:
“The Messenger of Allah combined Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha in Madinah without fear and without rain.”
Sahih Muslim
When asked why, he said:
“So that he would not cause hardship for his ummah.”
2. Scholarly Discussion
The four madhahib agree that combining is allowed during travel.
They differ regarding combining for non-travel hardship:
- Hanafi school: generally does not allow combining except in Arafah and Muzdalifah.
- Maliki, Shafii, and Hanbali schools: allow combining for valid hardship (such as illness, severe difficulty, or unavoidable circumstances), though not as a habit without cause.
Many contemporary scholars allow combining for genuine ongoing hardship when praying within the time becomes extremely difficult.
3. Application to Your Situation
If your work schedule makes it genuinely impossible or extremely difficult to pray Asr within its time because:
- You cannot leave your station,
- There is no reasonable accommodation,
- Waiting until after work causes Asr to exit its time,
Then you may combine Dhuhr and Asr at Dhuhr time (jam taqdim)
- The hardship is real and consistent.
- You are not doing so out of convenience.
- You intend combining at the time of Dhuhr.
However, you should first try to:
- Request accommodation.
- Adjust your break.
- Find even a short few minutes within Asr time.
Combining should not become habitual without genuine need.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
المشقة تجلب التيسير
Hardship brings facilitation
When fulfilling an obligation in its original form causes undue hardship, Sharia allows lawful concessions within limits.
Final Ruling
Combining Dhuhr and Asr at work, it is permissible according to the majority of scholars if there is genuine hardship and no reasonable alternative. It should not be done merely for convenience.
And Allah knows best.