What is the ruling when we sometimes combine the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers, and then a latecomer arrives to pray Maghrib with us while we are in the 'Isha' prayer? Is it permissible for him, after he finishes Maghrib, to combine 'Isha' alone?
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The questioner : Sometimes we combine the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers, especially on cold days. A latecomer arrives and prays Maghrib with us while we are in 'Isha'. Then, after we finish and he finishes, he has prayed Maghrib in the correct manner. The question asks: Should I combine? Should I stand for the prayer and pray 'Isha'?
The Shaykh : If he did not catch any part of the 'Isha' prayer behind the imam, and only caught the Maghrib prayer, he does not combine. However, if he caught Maghrib and then caught some part of the 'Isha' prayer, there is no problem with that. But if he only caught the Maghrib prayer, he does not combine, because the purpose of the legislation of combining is congregational prayer.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : So he did not pray 'Isha' in congregation, and therefore he delays it until he prays 'Isha' in its time with the congregation.
The Shaykh : If he did not catch any part of the 'Isha' prayer behind the imam, and only caught the Maghrib prayer, he does not combine. However, if he caught Maghrib and then caught some part of the 'Isha' prayer, there is no problem with that. But if he only caught the Maghrib prayer, he does not combine, because the purpose of the legislation of combining is congregational prayer.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : So he did not pray 'Isha' in congregation, and therefore he delays it until he prays 'Isha' in its time with the congregation.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.