Combining the Two Prayers in Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari

One of the conflicts between some Islamic sects and Shia schools is to combine the two prayers. Great Ayatollah Abd al-Husayn Sharaf al-Din al-Musawi, one of the prominent Shia Scholars debated Shaykh Salim al-Bishri, who was the head of Al-Azhar University on some issues regarding Imam Ali’s successorship (PBUH) after the Prophet and some doubts against Shia jurisprudential issues such as combining the two prayers.

Later on, when there were several friendly debates between these Great Scholars, they made the decision to publish as a book and then the book was published and named Al-Muraja’at. The present article is a summarized report of the first chapter of this book which is concerning combining the two prayers in authentic Hadith in Shia and Sunni sources which aims to prove that combining two prayers is not forbidden in Islam even without any excuse and The Holy Prophet combined the two prayers At home and in travel both.

Combining the Two Prayers in Sahih Muslim

There is no difference – between all the Islamic schools of thought amongst the Ahl al-qibla – in allowing the combination of the two obligatory prayers, al-zuhr and al-`asr, at `Arafa at the time of the noon (al-zuhr) prayer. Technically, this is [called] jam’ al-taqdim (the preceding combination). Similarly, there is no difference between them in allowing the combination of the two obligatory [prayers] – al-maghrib and al-`isha’ – at al-Muzdalifa at the time of the `isha’ [prayers].

Technically, this is called jam’ al-ta’khir (the delayed combination). There is no difference [amongst the scholars] in preferring these two combinations. Indeed, they are amongst the prophetic practices. However, they (the scholars) have differed as to the permissibility of combining the prayers in other instances.

The point of disagreement here is the permissibility of combining two obligatory prayers by performing them together at the time stipulated for one of them either by bringing it forward (taqdiman) as at `Arafa or by delaying it (ta’khiran) like the combination in al-Muzdalifa.

The Imams from the family of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH) have declared that this is permissible at all times although it is better to separate them. Their followers (Shi`as) have followed them in this [ruling] at all times and places. Most of the time, they combine al-zuhr and al-`asr and [also] al-maghrib and al-`isha’, whether they are travelling or at home, whether they have an excuse [to combine] or without an excuse. Jam’ al-taqdim and jam’ al-ta’khir are equally valid for them [at all times].

As for the Hanafis, they have prohibited the combination [of prayers] absolutely except when combining at `Arafa and al-Muzdalifa. [This is] despite the presence of numerous clear sahih (authentic traditions) which allow the combination, especially when travelling. However, despite the clear [traditions] they interpreted them to refer to an unintentional combination (al-jam’ al-suri). The invalidity of this [view] will become clear to you soon, God willing.

As for the Shafi`is, Malikis and Hanbalis, they have allowed it (the combination) when travelling although there are differences between them. Otherwise, they are not allowed to combine except for [genuine] excuses, for example, when there is rain, soil, sickness and fear. There are also differences between them on the conditions which constitute travelling which can be [termed]legal.

Our proofs which we rely on between us and our God, the Almighty, on this and on other issues are the authentic [traditions] from our Imams, peace be upon them. We shall argue with the masses (jumhur) by referring to their authentic traditions since they clearly point to what we claim. For us, sufficient proofs are [provided by] what the two Shaykhs have reported in the Sahihs. We present to you what Sahih Muslim has narrated in his Sahih in the chapter on the combination of prayers when at home. He says:

1. “Yahya b. Yahya reported: `I read from Malik from b. Abu al-Zubayr from Sa`id b. Jubayr from Ibn `Abbas [who] said: `The Prophet of God (S.A.W.) prayed the zuhr and `asr prayers together and [he also offered] the maghrib and `isha’ prayers together even though there was neither any fear nor was he travelling.'”
2. Muslim also said: “And Abu Bakr b. Abi Shayba narrated to us that Sufyan b. `Uyayna reported from `Amr b. Dinar from Abu Sha`sha’ Jabir b. Zayd from Ibn Abbas who said: `I prayed with the Prophet (PBUH) the eight [cycles] (of prayer) together and the seven [cycles] together.’ `Amr b. Dinar said: `I said: `O Abu Sha`sha’ I think he delayed the zuhr and hastened [to pray] the `asr and he delayed the maghrib and hastened [to pray] the `isha’.’ He (Abu Sha`sha’) said: `I think so too.'” I (the author) say: “They only follow [their] conjectures, and the conjecture does not lead to the truth.”
3. Muslim said: “Abu al-Rabi`i al-Zahrani said that Hammad b. Zayd reported from `Amr b. Dinar from Jabir b. Zayd from Ibn `Abbas: `Indeed the Prophet of God (PBUH) prayed in Medina the seven and eight cycles, the zuhr and `asr and the maghrib and the `isha’ [together].'”
4. He (Muslim) said: “And Abu al-Rabi`i al-Zahrani told me that Hammad narrated to us from al-Zubayr b. al-Kharit from `Abd Allah b. Shaqiq who said: `One day Ibn `Abbas delivered a sermon to us after the `asr [prayer] until the sun had set and the stars had begun to appear. The people started to say: `The prayer! The prayer!.’ He said: `A man from the Banu Tamim, who was not smiling or inclined [in stature], came to him (Ibn `Abbas) and said: `The prayer! the prayer!.’ Ibn `Abbas said: `Do you teach me the sunna O one who has no mother?’ Then he said: `I saw the Prophet of God (PBUH) combine the zuhr and `asr and the maghrib and `isha’.’ `Abd Allah b. Shaqiq said: `Something about that bothered me, so I came to Abu Hurayra and I asked him about it and he verified his statement.'”
5. Muslim said: “And Ibn Abi ‘Umar told us that Waqi’ reported that `Imran b. Hudayr reported from `Abd Allah b. Shaqiq al-`Uqayli that a man said to Ibn `Abbas: `The prayer!’, then he kept quiet. Then he said: `The prayer!’ then he kept quiet. Then he said: `The prayer!’ and he kept quiet. Ibn Abbas said: `You have no mother! Do you teach us about the prayer, we used to combine the two prayers in the time of the Prophet of God (PBUH)'”.
6. I (the author) say: Al-Nasai narrated from `Amr b. Harm from Abu Sha`sha’ that Ibn `Abbas prayed the zuhr and `asr in Basra without any interval between them. He did that as he was busy, he reported it from the Prophet (PBUH).
7. Muslim said that Ahmad b. Yunus and `Awn b. Salaam both told us from Zuhayr. Ibn Yunus said that Zuhayr narrated that Abu al-Zubayr reported from Sa`id b. Jubayr from Ibn `Abbas who said: “The Prophet of God (PBUH) prayed the zuhr and `asr together in Medina when there was neither fear nor [was he] travelling.” Abu al-Zubayr said: “I asked Sa`id: `Why did he do that?’ He replied: `I asked Ibn `Abbas just as you have asked me. He said: `He did not wish to impose any difficulty on anyone in his community.'”
8. Muslim said: “And Abu Bakr b. Abu Shayba and Abu Karib reported to us, they said: `Abu Mu’awiya, Abu Karib and Abu Sa`id al-Ashaj said (and the words are of Abu Karib) that they (Abu Karib and Abu Sa’id) said that Waqi’ and Abu Mu`awiya said, both of them [reporting] from al-A`mash from Habib b. Abu Thabit from Sa’id b. Jubayr from Ibn `Abbas who said: `The Prophet of God (PBUH) combined the zuhr and `asr and the maghrib and `isha’ [prayers] in Medina even though there was neither fear nor rain.'”
9. He (Muslim) said: “In the tradition of Waqi`i he said: `I asked Ibn `Abbas: `Why did he do that’? He said: `So that he should not [impose a] burden on his community.'” And, [according to] the hadith of Abu Mu`awiya, Ibn `Abbas was asked: “What did he intend by that?” He said: “He did not wish to impose difficulty on his community.”
10. Muslim said: “Yahya b. Habib al-Harithi said that Khalid b. al-Hirth said that Qurra b. Khalid said that Abu al-Zubayr told us that Sa`id b. Jubayr reported that Ibn `Abbas said: `Indeed the Prophet of God (S.A.W.) combined the prayers when on a journey he was undertaking in the battle of Tabuk, he combined the zuhr and `asr and the maghrib and `isha.'” Sa`id said: `I asked Ibn `Abbas: `What made him do that?’ He replied: `He did not wish to burden his umma.'”
11. Muslim said: “Yahya b. Habib said that Khalid b. al-Hirth told us that Qurra b. Khalid narrated that Abu al-Zubayr said that `Amir b. Wa’ila Abu al-Tufayl reported that Mu`adh b. Jabal said: `In the battle of Tabuk, the Prophet of God (PBUH) combined the zuhr and `asr and the maghrib and `isha’ [prayers].’ He said: `I asked: `What made him do that?’ He (Mu’adh) said: `He did not wish to burden his community.'”
12. I (the author) say: These authentic traditions are clear as to the reason for the legislation of combining [the prayers] – all [indicate] to give respite to the community, so as not to burden it with separating [the prayers], [thereby] having mercy on the diligent ones who [comprise] most of the people. The last two traditions – the hadith of Mu`adh and the one before it – are not restricted to the specific situation – I mean travelling – since the reason for combining [the prayer] in them (the two traditions) is general. It is not the journey per se, nor for sickness, rain, soil and fear per se. Rather, it is a general [ruling] which can be applied in any specific case. So it is not restricted to it, rather, it is applicable to all occasions. Due to that, you see that Imam Muslims did not mention the [last] two traditions in the chapter on “combining [the prayer] when travelling,” since they are not restricted to it. Rather, he cited the traditions in the chapter on the “combination [of prayer] when at home” so that they can be proof for the permissibility of combining [the prayers] at all times. This is [based upon] his understanding, knowledge and justice.
13. His (Muslim’s) sahih hadiths on this issue and those which you have heard and not heard are all according to the conditions stipulated by al-Bukhari. The transmitters in their isnads have all been used by al-Bukhari in his Sahih, so I wonder what prevented him (al-Bukhari) from mentioning all of them (the traditions) in his Sahih? What led him to reduce them to a negligible portion? Why did he not append a chapter in his book on the combination [of prayer] when at home or when travelling? Given the abundant sahih hadiths – according to the conditions stipulated by him – which are available on the combination [of prayers] and given that, on the whole, most of the Imams do accept it (the combination), why did he select those traditions on combining which have the least [impact] in pointing to it (the combination of prayer)? Why did he insert them in a chapter which could alter its (intended) meaning? I consider al-Bukhari above and exclude him from being like those who alter words from their intended meanings, or like those who hide the truth even though they may know it.

Combining the Two Prayers in Sahih Bukhari

They were only the authentic Hadiths narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih. But, there are also several authentic Hadiths narrated by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih (as the first and most important hadith source in the Sunni society) which prove that combining the two prayers is allowed in Islam and The Holy Prophet (PBUHH) combined the two prayers without any excuse.

1. Al-Bukhari says in the chapter on the delaying of the zuhr prayer until the [time of] `Asr in the book of the timings of prayers in his Sahih: “Abu Nu`man narrated to us that Hammad b. Zayd told him from `Amr b. Dinar who reported from Jabir b. Zayd on the authority of Ibn `Abbas who said: The Prophet (PBUH) prayed in Medina the eight and seven [cycles] of the Zuhr and Asr and the Maghrib and `Isha prayers. Ayyub said: `Perhaps it was a rainy night.’ He said: `Maybe.'” I (the author) say: they only follow conjectures.
2. He (al-Bukhari) also reported in the chapter on the time of the maghrib from Adam: He said: “Shu`ba told us: “Amr b. Dinar reported: `I heard Jabir b. Zayd reporting from Ibn `Abbas who said: `The Prophet (PBUH) prayed the seven [cycles] together and the eight [cycles] together.'”
3. And he reported with an incomplete chain of transmission (arsala) in the chapter on remembering the `isha’ and darkness from Ibn `Umar, Abu Ayyub and Ibn `Abbas that the Prophet (PBUH) prayed the maghrib and `isha’ – that is he combined them at the time of one of them at the expense of the other.

This is a very small portion from a large number of authentic traditions on the combination [of prayers] which are sufficient to prove what we maintain, as is obvious. This is supported by what [is reported] from Ibn Mas`ud when he said: “The Prophet (PBUH) combined – in Medina – the zuhr and `asr and the maghrib and `isha’ and this [fact] was mentioned to him. He (the Prophet) said: “I did this so that my Ummah should not be burdened.” Al-Tabrani has reported this.

It is reported from `Abd-Allah b.`Umar when it was said to him: “Did you not see the Prophet (PBUH) combine the Zuhr and Asr and the Maghrib and Isha’ prayers whilst he was staying [in town], not travelling?” He replied saying: “He did that so as not to impose a burden on his community.”

In short, there are, among all the `Ulama’ of the masses, those who say that it is permissible to combine and those who do not say it; they ratify the authenticity of these traditions and their apparent import. This is what we say, that it is allowed [to combine] in all cases. Refer, if you wish, to what they have appended to it so that it may be clear to you.

Yes, they have interpreted the traditions in accordance with their schools of thought. They were bemused by their interpretation, like one who is in the total darkness of the night. It is sufficient for you to note what al-Nawawi has related from them in his comment on these traditions in his commentary on the Sahih of Muslim. He says, after considering the apparent meaning in [the traditions on] combining [the prayers] at home: “The `Ulama’ have [differing] interpretations and views on this, some of them interpreted the combination [of prayer] due to rain”.

(He said): “This is the famous [opinion] from the prominent erstwhile scholars (al-kibar al-mutaqaddimun).” (Al-Nawawi said): “It (the opinion of the `Ulama’) is weak due to the second narration (riwaya) from Ibn `Abbas [which states the Prophet prayed together] without fear or rain.” (Al-Nawawi said): “Some of them have interpreted that it was due to cloudiness and that he (the Prophet) prayed the zuhr then the clouds cleared and it became apparent to him that the time for the `asr prayer had set in so he offered it at that time.”

(He said): “This is also not valid for [although] it may be remotely possible for the [prayers of] zuhr and `asr, it is not possible [for it to have occurred] at the [time of] maghrib and `isha’.” (Al-Nawawi said): “Among them are those who have interpreted it as referring to the delaying of the first [prayer] to its latest time for offering it so he offered it at the last [possible] time and when he had finished it (al-zuhr) the time for al-`asr had entered so he offered it at that time hence, the combination of the two prayers was not intended.”

(He said): “This is a weak [argument] too or it is invalid as it is completely opposite to that which is apparent, it is not possible [to admit it].” (Al-Nawawi said): “The act of Ibn `Abbas when delivering a sermon and the fact that people called out to him `the prayer! the prayer!’ and his not paying heed to them, his deriving proof from a hadith to justify his act of delaying the maghrib to the time of isha' and his combining them at the time of the second [prayer] (Isha’) and Abu Hurayra’s verification of him and his not disapproving it is clear in refuting this interpretation.”

I say: Ibn Abd al-Barr and al-Khattabi and others have refuted him, saying that the combination is a dispensation (rukhsa). If it (the combination) is not intended then it would be most difficult to undertake every prayer at its [specified] time since the beginning and end of the [prayer] times are things of which many specialists are not aware, let alone the general masses. (They said): “Amongst the proofs that the combination is a dispensation is the saying of Ibn `Abbas: `He did not wish to impose a burden on his community.'”

(They said): “Also, the clear reports on the combination of two mandatory [prayers] is only to undertake them together at the time [assigned] for one of them rather than the other, either by bringing forward (al-taqdim) the second one from its appointed time and offering it with the first one at it’s time or by delaying the first one from it’s appointed time to the time of the second one and offering them together at that time.” (They said): “This is what immediately comes to mind by the general usage of the word combining (al-Jami) in all the sunna, and this is the point of dispute.”

(Al-Nawawi said): “Amongst them are those who have interpreted [the traditions] claiming that the combination was due to an excuse like sickness or something like it in meaning.” (He said): “This is the view of Ahmad b. Hanbal and the Qadi Husayn are amongst our companions. Al-Khattabi, al-Mutawalli and al-Ruwyani from our companions have [also] chosen it and this is the chosen interpretation as it is the apparent [meaning] of the traditions.”

I say: There is no apparent [meaning] in the traditions and no remote proof for it, it is an arbitrary judgment as al-Qastalani in his commentary on the Sahih of al-Bukhari has admitted.

Some of eminent scholars have followed it up by saying: “It has been stated that the combination [of prayers] was due to illness,” al-Nawawi has supported this view. However, there is an objection to it since if the [prayers] were combined for illness then only those who were ill would have prayed with him (the Prophet). It is apparent that he (PBUH) combined [the prayers] with his companions, this is what Ibn`Abbas clearly announced in a tradition which has been established from him.

I say: When the authentic traditions on combining [the prayers] do not have an interpretation which the `ulama [uniformly] accept, a group of the masses have reverted to a position which is close to our opinion on the issue though they did not [even] intend to do so. Al-Nawawi mentioned them after [citing their] false interpretations as you have read. He further states: “A group of the Imams have allowed the combining of prayers when at home for a need if one does not become habituated to it (the combination). This is the view of Ibn Sirrin and Ashhab amongst the companions of Malik.

Al-Khattabi has reported it from al-Qaffal al-Shashi al-Kabir from the companions of al-Shafi`i, and from Ibn Ishaq al-Maruzi and from a group of hadith transmitters. Ibn al-Munzir has [also] chosen this opinion.” Al-Nawawi [further] said: “This view is supported by the apparent [meaning] of Ibn `Abbas’ saying: `He did not wish to burden his community’, he was not afflicted by sickness or by anything else, and Almighty Allah knows this matter best.” More than one of their prominent scholars has stated this. Perhaps in this era, their researchers are in agreement with our views, as more than one of them has told me. However, they do not dare to openly declare that to the public.

Perhaps caution prevents them [from doing that]. There is no difference of opinion on separating the prayer, it is better [to separate] as opposed to combining where there is a difference of opinion. However, it has escaped their notice that separating [the prayers] could lead to many busy people abandoning the prayer as we have sometimes seen whereas combining [the prayers] is the best [solution] to ensure they are undertaken.

Therefore, it is more prudent for the jurists to issue a juridical verdict to the people to combine [the prayers] and they should make things easy, not difficult – for Allah wishes to ease not hardship for you – He has not made religion a burden for you. The proof that combining [the prayers] is permissible at all times is available, thanks be to God, it is a correct Sunnah, enunciated as you have read. Rather, it is a clear, written and fixed prescription. Do not be inattentive, I will relate to you the clear [verses] so that it will become clear that the times of the obligatory prayers are only three:

1. The time of the two obligatory prayers, al-zuhr and al- `asr, which are shared between them,
2. And the time of the two obligatory prayers al-maghrib and al-`isha’ which are also shared between them,
3. And the third is the obligatory morning prayer especially fixed

so hear it and remain silent. (Maintain the prayer [during the period] from the sun’s decline till the darkness of the night, and [observe particularly] the dawn recital. Indeed the dawn recital is attended [by angels]. (17:78).

I say: We have examined the discussion on what he has mentioned concerning the proofs that combining [the prayer] whilst home without any excuse is not allowed and we have not found – God is our witness – a trace or relic for it. Yes, the Prophet (PBUH) used to combine [the prayer] when he had an excuse just as he used to combine when there was no excuse so that his community would not be burdened. There is no dispute that the separation [of prayer] is better therefore the Prophet of God (PBUH) would prefer it except when there was an excuse as was his habit in all the recommended [practices], peace be upon him and his family.