If a traveler prays the midday prayer with a congregation of residents without shortening it, is it permissible for him to combine and shorten the afternoon prayer, or should he pray the afternoon prayer combined without shortening, or should he pray it at its appointed time?
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The questioner : If a traveler prays the midday prayer with a congregation of residents without shortening it, is it permissible for him to combine and shorten the afternoon prayer, or should he pray the afternoon prayer combined without shortening, or should he pray it at its appointed time?
The Shaykh : If a person is a traveler and prays behind an imam who completes the prayer, it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer, whether he catches the prayer from the beginning or from the end. If he wants to combine the prayers, he combines the prayer after making up what is obligatory for him of the first prayer, and he shortens it. The reason it was obligatory for him to complete the first prayer was solely because he followed someone who completes the prayer. So, if he prays alone after the first prayer has ended, he shortens the prayer.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : If a person is a traveler and prays behind an imam who completes the prayer, it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer, whether he catches the prayer from the beginning or from the end. If he wants to combine the prayers, he combines the prayer after making up what is obligatory for him of the first prayer, and he shortens it. The reason it was obligatory for him to complete the first prayer was solely because he followed someone who completes the prayer. So, if he prays alone after the first prayer has ended, he shortens the prayer.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.