In the case of travel, the traveler is permitted to shorten and combine; is it permissible for him to shorten without combining, or to combine without shortening?
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The questioner : In the case of travel, the traveler is permitted to shorten and combine; is it permissible for him to shorten without combining, or to combine without shortening?
The Shaykh : The Sunnah is to shorten, and this Sunnah is emphasized to the extent that some scholars say: shortening is obligatory. As for combining, it is not obligatory, nor is it a Sunnah if one is a resident.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, if he is traveling, he combines according to what is easiest for him. If what is easiest is to combine by advancing, he combines by advancing; and if what is easiest is to combine by delaying, he combines by delaying. Thus, shortening is a confirmed Sunnah that should not be left, and combining is a Sunnah for the traveler, who combines by advancing or delaying according to what is facilitated for him. As for one who remains in a place, he does not combine, and if he does combine, there is no harm. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : The Sunnah is to shorten, and this Sunnah is emphasized to the extent that some scholars say: shortening is obligatory. As for combining, it is not obligatory, nor is it a Sunnah if one is a resident.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, if he is traveling, he combines according to what is easiest for him. If what is easiest is to combine by advancing, he combines by advancing; and if what is easiest is to combine by delaying, he combines by delaying. Thus, shortening is a confirmed Sunnah that should not be left, and combining is a Sunnah for the traveler, who combines by advancing or delaying according to what is facilitated for him. As for one who remains in a place, he does not combine, and if he does combine, there is no harm. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.