Q 9: Is it permissible to combine Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer and ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayer especially when it is difficult to find a place for offering Salah (Prayer) outside the house, such as when we go shopping where it is difficult to find a Musalla (a place for Prayer) in such places?

A: It is obligatory to perform every Salah at its prescribed time because Allah says: Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. And because of the Sahih (authentic) Hadith of Gabriel (peace be upon him) regarding the prescribed times of Salah when he led the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the beginning and the end time of every Salah (on two consecutive days). (Part No. 6; Page No. 439) Gabriel said: “The time (of performing prayer) is anywhere between these two times.” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Nasa'y and others) Al-Bukhari said: (It is the soundest Hadith concerning the prescribed times of Salah). It is not permissible to combine between Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer and ‘Asr (Afternoon) Salah or Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer and ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayer except for a Shar‘y (Islamic legal) reason such as travel, sickness and suchlike. As for shopping and the pretext that there is no place for Salah, it is not a legal excuse to delay Salah or to combine it with another one. It is obligatory upon Muslims to keep to Salah, give it much care and perform it at its due times. Q 10: Is it permissible to combine Salah in the hall of the airport before we leave our city, especially when it is difficult to find a Musalla on the plane? A: If the airport is outside the city, you may combine and shorten Salah because the legality of your applying the Rukhsahs (concessions) of travel have just begun. If the airport is inside the city, it is not permissible to apply the Rukhsahs of travel until the plane takes off and leaves populated areas.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.