What is the ruling on combining the two voluntary units in a single closing salam?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on combining the two voluntary units in a single closing salam?
The Shaykh : Combining the two voluntary units in a single closing salam is contrary to the Sunnah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 1295Sahih (Al-Albani) Therefore, it is prescribed to offer the closing salam after every two units. However, in the witr prayer, you may combine them. If you offer witr with three units, you may pray two units and offer the salam, then come for the third. If you offer witr with five units, the Sunnah is not to offer the salam until the last one. If you offer witr with seven units, likewise, do not offer the salam until the last unit. If you offer witr with nine units, likewise, do not offer the salam until the last unit. But if you pray eight units, sit and recite the tashahhud, then stand up before offering the salam, and offer the salam in the ninth. The witr is, in reality, a single prayer, not two prayers.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For this reason, it is permissible to combine the two units and those following them. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. The listener Abdullah says.
The Shaykh : Combining the two voluntary units in a single closing salam is contrary to the Sunnah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Prayer by night and day should consist of pairs of rak'ahs.
صلاة الليل والنهار مثنى مثنىThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For this reason, it is permissible to combine the two units and those following them. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. The listener Abdullah says.