The evidence that there is no formal combining of prayers, but only a real combining.

The Shaykh : The other Sunnah: If the worshippers are in the mosque and rain is pouring down around them, it is inconceivable that this would be a combining by postponement, first of all, even if it were a real combining as we detailed earlier. Nor is it conceivable that it would be a formal combining, because what are we to imagine? That we tell these people, who are praying the midday prayer while it is raining, "Wait in the mosque until just before the afternoon prayer"? That is not reasonable. Therefore, the practice that has been established is that combining prayers for the sake of rain is never conceivable except as a combining by advancing. This is one of the evidences of the people of hadith against those who hold to the view of formal combining, because this combining by advancing does not accept formal combining. This is the hadith we relied upon in what we mentioned earlier: that formal combining, first of all, involves hardship, and secondly, it contradicts the transmitted texts. These texts explicitly state the real combining by postponing the first prayer to the time of the second, and the combining by advancing as well. This is the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas. And as I also said earlier, the practice of the people of Madinah was that they would combine prayers due to the falling of rain. This combining cannot be anything other than advancing, not postponing. This is all I have as an answer to that question.

The questioner: May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : And may Allah protect you, if Allah wills. In the name of Allah.

The questioner : To complete the point, our Shaykh, for observation: Is hardship a condition for the falling of rain? Or is it possible that the rain is expected, or that there are thick clouds, or that there is severe cold? Does the imam have the discretion to decide on combining, or is there a condition for combining in the Sunnah?

The Shaykh : Well, a hug is sufficient for you without a kiss.

Another questioner : Abu Mujahid...

The Shaykh : Yes?

Another questioner : Abu Mujahid.

The Shaykh : The one who is known does not need to be introduced. Welcome, and peace be upon you. May Allah bless you. How are you?

Another questioner: Praise be to Allah, he is fine.

The Shaykh: Praise be to Allah for your safety.

Another questioner : May Allah keep you safe.

The Shaykh : May Allah make it easy for you. What did you say? Yes.

Another questioner : This invitation might be for the sake of concealment.

The Shaykh : Well, but for the benefit of the one who is good, heh heh. Yes.