Is it allowed for a peddler to combine Dhuhr and Asr Prayers because he commutes and does not find any toilets since mosques where he can go to perform wudu’ are closed because of Coronavirus pandemic precaution?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Referring to your question, combining each two prayers is permissible under restrictions. Finding no open mosques and no toilets is not considered one of the excuses which allow combining prayers.  Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council, was once asked about the ruling on combing prayers if a place of work is 70 km far from the residence. He said that primarily, a Muslim is to observe each prayer on its due time. Allah says: “The prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” An-Nisa’: 103.

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud narrated that he asked the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); “Which action is dearest to Allah? And the prophet replied: “Prayer at its proper time”. Related by Muslim.

Muslim scholars have agreed upon the following issue: a Muslim can shorten the prayers as they travel. Allah says: “And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten As-Salat (the prayer) if you fear that the disbelievers put you in trial (attack you).” An-Nisa’: 101

According to combing prayers, the majority of scholars find that travelling is considered as an excuse to combine; however, Hanafi School scholars say that combining each two prayers is not allowed but for pilgrims on the Day of Arafat on the Mount of Arafa and on Muzdalefa. during performing Hajj. (Hashiyat Ibn Abdeen: 1/555)

It is worth mentioning that the distance because of which a Muslim can shorten a prayer is 81 km going and 81 km coming back. The prophet (PBUH) said: “Oh people of Mecca, do not shorten the prayer (when travelling) for a distance which is less than four Burud (a measurement unit which was used at that time which is estimated by the above-mentioned distance).

Therefore, we prefer not to combine a prayer when commuting between locations where the distance is less than 81 km.  

However, if it is extremely hard to perform a prayer and combining prayers reveal such hardship, combining prayers is then allowed as permissions are granted to Muslims to reveal hardship. Ibn Abbas (RAA) narrated: “The messenger of Allah (PBUH) prayed Dhuhr and Asr together, and Maghrib and Isha’ together, and not out of fear nor because of travelling.” Related by Muslim.`