What is the basis for combining the four-unit prayers while traveling?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Noble Shaykh, what is the basis for combining the four-unit prayers while traveling?
The Shaykh : Combining them, or shortening them?
The questioner : Combining them.
The Shaykh : You do not need to say "four-unit," because combining applies to the four-unit prayers and to the three-unit prayers, such as combining Maghrib with Isha. Combining is broader than shortening in one respect and narrower than it in another. You should know that combining is permitted whenever it becomes difficult for you to pray each prayer in its own time, so you combine them, whether you are in your home or traveling. For this reason, combining is permitted in the rain while you are in your town, and combining is permitted due to illness while you are in your town. As for shortening, it is not permissible except while traveling. However, while traveling, shortening is a recommended practice (sunnah) in all cases, even if you are staying there. Combining is not a recommended practice (sunnah) while traveling unless the journey becomes difficult. If the journey becomes difficult for a person, he combines. Do you understand?
The Shaykh : Combining them, or shortening them?
The questioner : Combining them.
The Shaykh : You do not need to say "four-unit," because combining applies to the four-unit prayers and to the three-unit prayers, such as combining Maghrib with Isha. Combining is broader than shortening in one respect and narrower than it in another. You should know that combining is permitted whenever it becomes difficult for you to pray each prayer in its own time, so you combine them, whether you are in your home or traveling. For this reason, combining is permitted in the rain while you are in your town, and combining is permitted due to illness while you are in your town. As for shortening, it is not permissible except while traveling. However, while traveling, shortening is a recommended practice (sunnah) in all cases, even if you are staying there. Combining is not a recommended practice (sunnah) while traveling unless the journey becomes difficult. If the journey becomes difficult for a person, he combines. Do you understand?