Combining two Salahs for a traveler who stops over at a town

Q 1: What is the ruling on combining two Salahs (prayers) for a traveler who stops over at a town (Part No. 6; Page No. 444) intending to stay there for a while to be able to catch the time of the next Salah?


A: It is preferable for whoever stops over at a town for a period in which shortening is permissible to offer every Salah on time shortened without combining two of them together, because when the Prophet (peace be upon him) stayed at Mina during the Farewell Hajj, he (peace be upon him) offered every Salah on time shortened to two Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) without combining the Salah.Whereas whoever travels fast without stopping should shorten and combine Salah, for this will be easier for him. However, if the traveler is alone and there is a residing congregation, he should offer the Salah with them in full number of Rak‘ahs, for offering the Salah in congregation is Wajib (obligatory), while shortening it is Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet), and Wajib should not be left for Sunnah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


Tags: