The criterion is the performance of the prayer, not its time, and combining prayers is prescribed when there is a need for it
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A young man left his hometown as a traveler, and the time for prayer arrived. Should he shorten that prayer or not? Then he stayed in the open for three days, or five days. Should he shorten the prayer and combine it? Is that recommended for him?
As for the first issue, he prays two rak'ahs; because the criterion is the performance of the prayer, not its time. For this reason, if a person arrives in his hometown after the time has entered, he prays four,And he does not say: saying, "The time entered while I was traveling, so I will pray two rak'ahs." No, the criterion is the performance of the prayer. Similarly, if the adhan is called while he is in his hometown and then he travels after the adhan, he prays two rak'ahs, considering the performance of the prayer.
And as for the time of his stay for two or three days, shortening is a recommended practice,Meaning: It is recommended to shorten the four-rak'ah prayer to two rak'ahs. As for combining, it is better not to combine; because he is not in need of combining. Combining is only prescribed when there is a need for it. If he does not need it, it is better not to combine.
The questioner: O Shaykh! If there are, for example, some companions who want to combine and some who do not, there will be a disagreement between them, will there not?Answer: But is there any hardship?It is said to those who chose to combine: It is better that they do not combine. If they insist, let them combine, and there is no harm.
The questioner: Should he combine with them?The Shaykh: Everyone should combine; so that they do not become divided and so that the congregation is not diminished.
As for the first issue, he prays two rak'ahs; because the criterion is the performance of the prayer, not its time. For this reason, if a person arrives in his hometown after the time has entered, he prays four,And he does not say: saying, "The time entered while I was traveling, so I will pray two rak'ahs." No, the criterion is the performance of the prayer. Similarly, if the adhan is called while he is in his hometown and then he travels after the adhan, he prays two rak'ahs, considering the performance of the prayer.
And as for the time of his stay for two or three days, shortening is a recommended practice,Meaning: It is recommended to shorten the four-rak'ah prayer to two rak'ahs. As for combining, it is better not to combine; because he is not in need of combining. Combining is only prescribed when there is a need for it. If he does not need it, it is better not to combine.
The questioner: O Shaykh! If there are, for example, some companions who want to combine and some who do not, there will be a disagreement between them, will there not?Answer: But is there any hardship?It is said to those who chose to combine: It is better that they do not combine. If they insist, let them combine, and there is no harm.
The questioner: Should he combine with them?The Shaykh: Everyone should combine; so that they do not become divided and so that the congregation is not diminished.