Combining and Shortening Prayers During Hajj

Question: What is the ruling for one who prayed the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers shortened and combined with delay before entering Muzdalifah, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as his car breaking down on the road to Muzdalifah and the fear of missing the time for Maghrib and 'Isha', as the time was very late? So he prayed the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers on the outskirts of Muzdalifah, meaning a short distance before Muzdalifah. Then he slept until his car was repaired, and he also prayed the Fajr prayer after the time for Fajr had entered, praying it on the outskirts of Muzdalifah, as he was unable to enter Muzdalifah until morning when the sun had risen. Is his prayer valid for Maghrib, 'Isha', and Fajr on the outskirts of Muzdalifah? We ask your Eminence to clarify this and mention the evidence.

Answer: The prayer is valid in every place except for what the Lawgiver has excluded, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . However, what is prescribed for the pilgrim is to pray Maghrib and 'Isha' combined in Muzdalifah where he is able to do so before the middle of the night. If that is not facilitated for him due to congestion or other reasons, he prays them in whatever place he is, and it is not permissible for him to delay them until after the middle of the night; because of the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surat al-Nisa: 103], meaning prescribed at their specific times, and because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): , narrated by Muslim from the hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with them both), and Allah knows best.