What is the ruling on combining prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha’) at home because of work and because the prayer room is closed?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Referring to your question, combining prayers is restricted by Islamic rules. None narrated that a Muslim can combine all prayers or the four prayers that are mentioned in the question together at one time. If it is allowed to combine, under certain circumstances, each two prayers are combined but not the four or five prayers; in other words, Dhuhr and Asr are combined together, and Maghrib and Isha’. Whatever the reason is, what you do is not considered combination; rather, it is considered delaying which is not allowed. Allah says: “The prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” An-Nisa’: 103.

If one wants to combine the two prayers: Dhuhr and Asr during working hours, they cannot do that unless there is a compelling excuse which is considered in Islam.

Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council, was once asked if a Muslim can combine the two prayers: Dhuhr and Asr at workplace even if they reach their homes before al-Asr prayer call?

He said that primarily, combining two prayers is restricted to reveal hardship, and there are different opinions regarding this issue. 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. The Maliki and Hanbali school scholars see that combing Maghrib and Isha’ prayers are allowed only. However, the Shafi’i School scholars and some Hanafi scholars see that combining each two prayers such as Dhuhr and Asr, Maghrib and Isha’ is allowed under certain conditions which are written down in their books. Some Hanbali and Shafi’i scholars see that a Muslim can combine two prayers individually at home because of rain. 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

Professor Wahbah al-Zuhayli says: “Excuses allow Muslims to combine each two prayers, whether to pray Dhuhr and Asr at the time of Dhuhr or at the time of Asr, even if a Muslim prays at home or in a mosque, and even if the road which leads to the mosque is roofed. (Al-Fiqh Al-Islami wa Adillatuhu: 2/510).

Therefore, we see that combining two prayers at workplace is prohibited as long as there is no considered need which, consequently, reveals hardship. Combining prayers is legislated to reveal hardship when necessary not to let people deal with prayers carelessly. 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. 

Moreover, performing the prayers in the mosques is much better than performing them at home unless there is a considered excuse. This is because performing them in a congregation puts an end to those who want to make use of excuses without being well versed in this issue.