The Criterion for Combining Prayers in the Rain

Question:
He says: Shaykh, this questioner prayed in a mosque, and there were traces of rain on the ground, but the sky was clear. The imam of the mosque combined the prayers, but I left. Am I correct? Also, what is the criterion for combining prayers in the rain?

Answer:
Combining prayers in the rain is only for necessity. If the rain is heavy enough to wet one’s clothes on the way to the mosque and back, combining is permissible. Or if the ground has become slippery after the rain, even if the rain has stopped, but the ground remains slippery with puddles and mud, combining is permissible in this case. As for what some imams, lazy people, and the boys of the mosques who have taken on the role of imam do—these are actually playing with the prayer by leading it. If they see a bit of cloud or something approaching in the sky, they combine, even if no rain falls, or if only light drizzle falls that causes no mud and does not wet clothes, and then they combine. Their combining is not valid, and their 'Isha' prayer is not valid because it is not in its proper time. Muslims should be aware of this.
And they should take hold of these foolish people who play with the prayer. It has been mentioned that they combine so that they can go to rest houses and stay up late. It is obligatory for the party responsible for the mosques, which is the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, to fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic, to follow up on these people, and to rid the mosques of these players. They should not assign the role of imam to someone who does not fulfill it. Yes.