I prayed the midday prayer at home, then I learned that the imam had combined the midday and afternoon prayers. Is it obligatory for me to go to the mosque when the call is made for the afternoon prayer, or...

The questioner: Peace be upon you, Shaykh. Regarding the combining of prayers, Shaykh, for example, I did not pray the midday prayer in the mosque; I did not pray the midday prayer in the mosque, and they combined the prayers. I prayed the midday prayer at home, and I am certain that they combined them. So, do I go to pray the afternoon prayer?

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner: I pray it, meaning, at home.

The Shaykh: No, you pray it. You go to the afternoon prayer that they combined. As for the afternoon prayer in its proper time, you must go and pray with the congregation in the time of the afternoon prayer.

The questioner: Our Shaykh, let me repeat my question, Shaykh.

The Shaykh: I will repeat it for you.

The questioner : That he.

The Shaykh: Repeat it for me.

The questioner: Shaykh, the one who prays went to the mosque.

The Shaykh: Listen, my brother, let him do what he wants. Yes, brother.

The questioner: Shaykh, now they have prayed the afternoon prayer.

The Shaykh: They have prayed the afternoon prayer.

The questioner: Ah, they combined the midday and afternoon prayers.

The Shaykh: That is what you said, the midday and afternoon prayers.

The questioner: They combined them in the time of the midday prayer.

The Shaykh: And you had prayed the midday prayer at home.

The questioner: At home.

The Shaykh: All right.

The questioner: But he is calling now.

The Shaykh: Say, calling for what? The afternoon prayer.

The questioner: For the afternoon prayer. Ah.

The Shaykh: This is what I told you: you must go to the mosque to pray with the congregation in the time of the afternoon prayer.