Fatwa no. 17127 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last of the Prophets.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has examined the Fatwa request submitted to His Eminence the Grand Mufty by His Eminence Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da`wah and Guidance referring to the Fatwa request submitted by His Eminence the Director of the General Administration of Endowment and Mosques in Al-Ta'if. The request was referred to the Committee by the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars, no. 2128, dated 26/5/1415 A.H. Following is a statement of the question of His Eminence: (Part No. 7; Page No. 20) We received inquiries about the issue of some Imams combining Maghrib (Sunset) and `Isha' (Night) Prayers at the time of the earlier, while others did not make use of this Rukhsah (concession). According to inquirers, rainfall was not heavy enough to cause a substantial reduction in the movement of pedestrians, closing stores or hindering any vital public service. Were those who made use of the Rukhsah negligent? Or, are there certain conditions for making use of it and this is why some Imams did not do so?

Having examined the Fatwa request, the Committee gives the following answer:It is permissible to combine Maghrib and `Isha' proclaiming one Adhan (call to Prayer) and one Iqamah (call to start the Prayer) for both of them because of rainfall that may wet clothes and make it difficult to return once again to the Masjid (mosque) to offer `Isha' Prayer, according to the stronger of the two opinions maintained by scholars.Similarly, both Salahs can be combined at the time of the earlier in the case of heavy mud, according to the most correct opinion maintained by scholars so as to avoid difficulty and hardship. Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...and He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship He (Exalted be He) also says: Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. In addition, Aban ibn `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them both) combined Maghrib and `Isha' on a rainy night while leading an eminent group of Tabi`un (Followers, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet) scholars, an act which was not known (Part No. 7; Page No. 21) to be contradicted by anyone and thus constitutes Ijma` (consensus of scholars). This was stated by Ibn Qudamah in his book Al-Mughny.Focusing on the case in question, it is unfeasible to apply one ruling regarding combining Maghrib and `Isha' to all Masjids especially in large cities, for heaviness and effect of rain are different from one area to another. However, people should be enlightened and taught the practices and concessions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that have been authentically reported.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.