When is it prescribed to combine two prayers, and does one combine if the rain is light?
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The questioner : The Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. Regarding combining prayers in the rain, some imams combine even when the rain is light. So how should the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) pray behind them?
The Shaykh : Yes, if the imam combines without a valid reason, and the ma'mum hopes to find a congregation within the time, such as for 'Isha', he should pray with them and intend it as a voluntary prayer (nafilah) so as not to break the unity of the people, causing them to differ and dispute. However, if he does not hope to find a congregation, he should pray it as an obligatory prayer (fard), and it will suffice him, because combining for the sake of catching the congregation is permissible. Did you understand?
The questioner : And if there are other nearby mosques where he can reach them, does he pray with them as a voluntary prayer and pray the obligatory prayer there?
The Shaykh : No, absolutely not. Yes, if he hopes to find a congregation at the time of 'Isha.
The questioner : In a second mosque.
The Shaykh : In a second mosque.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He intends it as a voluntary prayer and prays it with the others when the time enters.
The Shaykh : Yes, if the imam combines without a valid reason, and the ma'mum hopes to find a congregation within the time, such as for 'Isha', he should pray with them and intend it as a voluntary prayer (nafilah) so as not to break the unity of the people, causing them to differ and dispute. However, if he does not hope to find a congregation, he should pray it as an obligatory prayer (fard), and it will suffice him, because combining for the sake of catching the congregation is permissible. Did you understand?
The questioner : And if there are other nearby mosques where he can reach them, does he pray with them as a voluntary prayer and pray the obligatory prayer there?
The Shaykh : No, absolutely not. Yes, if he hopes to find a congregation at the time of 'Isha.
The questioner : In a second mosque.
The Shaykh : In a second mosque.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He intends it as a voluntary prayer and prays it with the others when the time enters.