Combination of Two Salaah
The First Issue: Legislation of Combining Two Prayers with Evidence
Al-Imaam Muslim collected it in his Saheeh (Hadeeth number 705) via the route of Aboo Zubayr, from Sa'eed bn Jubayr, from 'AbduLlaahi bn 'Abbaas radiyyaLlaahu 'anhumaa, he said:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed the noon and afternoon prayers together, and the sunset and Ishaa prayers together without being in a state of fear or in a state of journey.
Muslim collected it in his Saheeh (Hadeeth Number 705) via 'AbduLlaahi bn Shaqeeq, he said:
Ibn 'Abbas one day addressed us in the afternoon (after the afternoon prayer) till the sun disappeared and the stars appeared, and the people began to say: Prayer, prayer. A person from Banu Tamim came there. He neither slackened nor turned away, but (continued crying): Prayer! Prayer! Ibn 'Abbas said: May you be deprived of your mother, do you teach me the Sunnah? And then he said: I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) combining the noon and afternoon prayers and the sunset and Ishaa prayers.
'Abdullah bn Shaqiq said: Some doubt was created in my mind about it. So I came to Abu Huraira and asked him (about it) and he testified his assertion.
The Second Issue: Point of Reference
Ash-Shaykh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (Majmoo' Al-Fataawa vol.24 p.84) said:
The saying of Ibn 'Abbaas: The prayer was combined without being in the state of this and that. There is no negation in it for combining (the two prayers) because of these reasons, rather it proofs it, because he combined because of the reason lesser than it (that is: sermon). Though he had even combined because of it (that is: rain and fear). Even if it was not reported that he combined because of it, his combination because of the lesser reason is an evidence that, combining it (together) is the most appropriate.
Then, it indicates that combination (of two prayer) because of fear and rain. He had even combined at 'Arafah and Muzdalifah without rain or fear.
It was mentioned from Ibn Sereen that, he did not see any harm to combine two prayers, if there is necessity or anything, if it not taken as custom.
Ash-Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir commented (Sharh At-Tirmidhee vol.1 p.357): This is the most authentic (opinion) that was taken from the narration, but interpreting it to sickness or excuse or other than it is overburden which has no evidence.
In this stance, blame is alleviated from some people that their works or conditions compel them to combine two prayers. With this they will avoid sin and blame. This is comfort for them and will assist them upon obedience, once it is not taken as custom. As said by Ibn Sereen.
An-Nawaawee said (Sharh Muslim vol.5 p.219): A group among the scholars opined that, to combine two prayers together for a resident, because of necessity is permissible for those that do not take it as custom. This is the opinion of Ibn Sereen, Ashhab from the comrades of Al-Maalik. Al-Khattaabee mentioned it from Al-Waffaal Ashaashee Al-Kabeer from the comrades of Ash-Shaaf'ee also from Aboo Ishaaq Al Marwazee from the people of hadeeth. And this is the selected opinion of Al-Mundhir.
The Third Issue: Difference of Opinion Regarding Combination of Salaah
Al-Khattaabee said(Mu'aalim As-Sunan vol.1 p.264): The scholars differed on the permissibility of combining two prayer because of rain for the resident. A group among the pious predecessors authorized it. This was reported from Ibn 'Umar,'Urwah bn Zubayr and Ibn Al-Musayyib did it, also 'Umar bn 'Abdil Azeez, Aboo Bakr bn 'Abdir-Rahmaan, Aboo Salamah and majority of the scholars of jurisprudence. This is the opinion of Maalim, Ash-Shaaf'ee and Ahmad.
Ibn Katheer said (Al-Masaail Al-Fiqhiyyah pp.92-93): Ash-Shaaf'ee opines the permissibility of combining Zuhr and Asr and Maghrib and Ishaa because of rain.
Maalik and Ahmad said: This is only allowed in Maghrib and Ishaa, but nit allowed in Zuhr and Asr.
While Aboo Haneefah absolutely forbids it(that is:combining prayers) in both circumstances.
Following this is the fourth issue: Combining between Zuhur and Asr Prayers.
We beseech Allaah to protect us and make us steadfast on the creed and methodology of Salafiyyah.
