The Ruling on Shortening and Combining Prayers While Traveling
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
O our Shaykh! (may Allah preserve him) Is it a recommended practice (sunnah) to shorten and combine prayers while traveling, and should one combine by bringing the later prayer forward or delaying the earlier one?
As for shortening, it is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah); indeed, some scholars have stated that it is obligatory. As for combining, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) if one has a need for it.If he was traveling steadily, we say: The recommended practice (sunnah) is to combine. Do what is easiest for you. If you intend to depart after the sun has passed its zenith and continue traveling, combine the 'Asr prayer with the Zuhr prayer. If the time for Zuhr passes while you are traveling steadily and you do not stop until after the time for 'Asr, combine the Zuhr prayer with the 'Asr prayer.Meaning: Do what is easiest for you. However, if you are staying in a place, it is better not to combine. If you do combine, there is nothing wrong with it.
So the ruling on combining involves a detailed distinction: If you are traveling steadily, combine; this is the recommended practice (sunnah). If you are staying in a place, it is better not to combine. If you do combine, there is nothing wrong with it. As for shortening, it is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah) from the moment you leave your home until you return to it.
The questioner himself: Does he combine while inside the town—O Shaykh—while he hears the call to prayer?Answer: No.
The one who is inside the town must pray with the congregation. If he prays with the congregation, he will complete the prayer and perform each prayer at its proper time.
As for shortening, it is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah); indeed, some scholars have stated that it is obligatory. As for combining, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) if one has a need for it.If he was traveling steadily, we say: The recommended practice (sunnah) is to combine. Do what is easiest for you. If you intend to depart after the sun has passed its zenith and continue traveling, combine the 'Asr prayer with the Zuhr prayer. If the time for Zuhr passes while you are traveling steadily and you do not stop until after the time for 'Asr, combine the Zuhr prayer with the 'Asr prayer.Meaning: Do what is easiest for you. However, if you are staying in a place, it is better not to combine. If you do combine, there is nothing wrong with it.
So the ruling on combining involves a detailed distinction: If you are traveling steadily, combine; this is the recommended practice (sunnah). If you are staying in a place, it is better not to combine. If you do combine, there is nothing wrong with it. As for shortening, it is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah) from the moment you leave your home until you return to it.
The questioner himself: Does he combine while inside the town—O Shaykh—while he hears the call to prayer?Answer: No.
The one who is inside the town must pray with the congregation. If he prays with the congregation, he will complete the prayer and perform each prayer at its proper time.