Is the intention obligatory when combining prayers, i.e., the intention to combine before the first prayer?
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The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Is it obligatory for us to have the intention, the intention to combine, before the first prayer?
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he used to combine prayers with the Companions, did not inform them of it, as some imams do today. "Oh brothers, we are going to pray combined, so intend in your hearts to combine." This was not something that happened in the time of the Messenger. Rather, he would sometimes surprise them with combining when they had not even thought of such a combination. Therefore, making the intention at the beginning of the first prayer for the combination is something that has no basis. Yes.
The questioner : Is it obligatory for us to have the intention, the intention to combine, before the first prayer?
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he used to combine prayers with the Companions, did not inform them of it, as some imams do today. "Oh brothers, we are going to pray combined, so intend in your hearts to combine." This was not something that happened in the time of the Messenger. Rather, he would sometimes surprise them with combining when they had not even thought of such a combination. Therefore, making the intention at the beginning of the first prayer for the combination is something that has no basis. Yes.