Shiites usually combine the Zuhr and Asr prayers, as well as the Maghrib and Isha prayers together, while Sunnis pray them separately. Stay with SaedNews.
What is the meaning of combining two prayers?
Combining two prayers, or jam' between two prayers (جمع بین الصلاتین), refers to performing the Zuhr and Asr prayers together, as well as the Maghrib and Isha prayers together at their shared time. The permissibility of combining two prayers is based on the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the practice of the Imams (AS). Sunni scholars, however, do not believe in the concept of a shared time for these prayers and therefore consider combining prayers permissible only under specific circumstances, such as during travel or illness.
Many people, especially from Sunni backgrounds, mistakenly believe that combining two prayers means one of the prayers is performed outside its prescribed time. They are unaware that it is not done outside the time of the prayer’s validity, but rather outside its preferred time. Thus, it can be said that there are three distinct times for prayer:
Specific Time: For instance, the first four rakats of Zuhr, the late part of Asr, or the three rakats of Maghrib followed by the four rakats before midnight.
Preferred Time: As detailed with respect to Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers.
Valid Time: This refers to the time between the beginning and end of the prayer’s designated period, excluding the special time for any individual prayer. The valid time thus includes both the preferred time and any time outside of it.
Numerous hadiths from the Imams (AS) mention:
When the sun reaches its zenith (zawal), the times for both Zuhr and Asr prayers start, though this occurs before the zenith itself.
Al-Saduq narrates from Imam Baqir (AS) in his book that:
"When the sun sets, the time for both Zuhr and Asr enters, and when the sun sets, the time for Maghrib and Isha begins."
Therefore, given that prayers have three times, it is evident that combining two prayers is permissible, though it may not be preferred to perform them at the first time. That's why it has been narrated from the Imams (AS) that praying separately is better than combining the prayers. Here, we present a few hadiths that explicitly confirm the permissibility of combining prayers, which is also a fundamental principle in Shia jurisprudence.
Combining Two Prayers According to Shia View
According to the Imamite (Shia) sect, combining the Zuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha prayers is permissible in all circumstances, whether in one's hometown or during travel, whether the person is sick or healthy, with an excuse or without an excuse, and regardless of weather conditions, whether it’s rainy or not. The Prophet (PBUH) himself combined prayers even when he was neither a traveler, ill, nor in a state of fear or rain. This proves that combining prayers is not limited to the circumstances in which Sunni scholars allow it but is permissible in all situations. The Shia view is that combining prayers is allowed even without any of the reasons that Sunnis consider excuses.
Combining Two Prayers According to Sunni View
All Muslims agree that combining the Zuhr and Asr prayers on the Day of Arafah and the Maghrib and Isha prayers on the night of Muzdalifah is permitted and recommended. However, according to most Sunni scholars, combining the prayers is only allowed during travel, in rainy conditions, in cases of illness, or with an excuse. The opinions of Sunni schools of thought vary on these conditions.
Hadiths Regarding Combining Two Prayers
According to Shia hadiths, combining two prayers is allowed during travel and when one has an excuse, and there is no doubt about this. However, combining two prayers without any excuse is also permissible, which is supported by the Shia hadiths. These hadiths are classified into several categories:
Hadiths About the Practice of the Prophet
The first category includes reports on the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarding combining two prayers. Many narrations from Imam Baqir (AS) and Imam Sadiq (AS) explain how the Prophet combined prayers in normal situations.
In a narration from Imam Baqir (AS):
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) combined the Zuhr and Asr prayers with one call to prayer and two iqamas, and the Maghrib and Isha prayers with one call to prayer and two iqamas."
Reason for the Difference Between Shia and Sunni Views
The difference between Shia and Sunni views on this issue is due to their differing perspectives on the prayer times. Shia scholars, based on the verse "Establish the prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, and the Qur’an of the dawn. Verily, the Qur’an of the dawn is witnessed" (Qur’an 17:78), believe in the shared time, the preferred time, and the specific time for the Zuhr and Asr prayers as well as for the Maghrib and Isha prayers. In contrast, Sunni scholars assign a specific time to each prayer and do not accept a shared time for daily prayers.
Therefore, they argue that when combining prayers, one of the prayers would be offered outside its time, whereas Shia scholars maintain that combining prayers is only disallowed if done outside the specific time for another prayer. Some Sunni commentators also assert that three distinct times (morning, noon, and night) apply to the obligatory daily prayers.
Question: Is it obligatory to delay between two obligatory prayers, for example between Zuhr and Asr, or between Maghrib and Isha?
Answer from Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Sistani: It is better to pray at the preferred time. The preferred time for the Maghrib prayer, by obligatory precaution, is after the redness on the eastern horizon (which appears after sunset) has passed over your head, until the twilight (redness of the sunset) ends.
