Combining Prayers?

[Talib Al-Din]

As-Salamuh Aleikom,

For the time being I can't phrase the hadith exactly as it appears in ahadith books, but I have read a hadith relating that Muhammad used to "combine" Zhuhr and Asr or Maghrib and Isha without a reason for fear (under which it would be allowed) and when it was not raining (under which it would again be allowed). But what exactly does it mean to "combine" prayers? Does it mean to pray, for example, Zhuhr in the last, say, five minutes of Zhuhr and Asr right after that, or does that mean to delay Zhuhr and pray them both before the time for Asr expires?

As-Salamuh Aleikom

[al yunan]

But what exactly does it mean to "combine" prayers? Does it mean to pray, for example, Zhuhr in the last, say, five minutes of Zhuhr and Asr right after that, or does that mean to delay Zhuhr and pray them both before the time for Asr expires?

Walaikum Assalam brother,

Inshallah I'll try to answer you whithin the framework of the four Mathab.
It's important first to Niya to combine prayers while still within the time of prayer, for example during Duhr you decide to combine prayers then as long as you pray before the time of Asr ends it's fine.
Once the time of Duhr ends you cant then decide to combine you would have to Qada (performing a delayed prayer) the Duhr prayer. The same would aply for the Magrieb - Isha prayers.
As for the reasons to combine prayers they very from Mathab to Mathab but there is one common clause and that is that the combining of prayers is not a Ruhsa (action to seek an easy alternative)

I hope this helps you,
Masalam

[Anas Hasan]

Wa Alaikum Assalam,

There are two opinions about whether you can combine prayers without excuse or not, as for Shafei it's said that combining without excuse is not allowed, as for Hanbali and Maliki it's said that combining is allowed as long as you don't make it a habit.
The majority of scholars went with Shafei's opinion.

That's all I know, I hope brothers and sisters help you more.