A man intended to combine two prayers, but when he arrived at the mosque, he found them praying the 'Asr prayer, so he prayed with them, and then after the prayer, he prayed the Zuhr prayer. What is the ruling?

The questioner : , O Shaykh: Combining the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers by delaying them. Then, when he arrived in the city, he found that the call to prayer for 'Isha' was being made. Then he entered the mosque and prayed 'Isha' with the imam. Then, afterwards, he stood up to lead the prayer alone and prayed Maghrib. Is his prayer valid in this case?

The Shaykh : How did he pray Maghrib after 'Isha', when he had combined the two prayers as you say?

The questioner : I mean, he traveled from one area and intended to combine by delaying, and when he arrived in the city...

The Shaykh : He did not pray.

The questioner : No, he did not pray. When he arrived in the city, he found that it was the time for 'Isha', then he entered the mosque and prayed 'Isha' with the imam. Then, when he finished the prayer, he left and prayed Maghrib alone, standing up to lead the prayer and praying Maghrib. Is his action correct? And likewise, if he did this with 'Asr and Zuhr?

The Shaykh : No. It is not valid, because there is a clear deficiency in it...