Q: My husband travels frequently to
Belgium
and we live in
Alexandria.
He takes the plane from
Cairo
at the time of the Adhan (call to prayer) for the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer and reaches his destination at night. He performs the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer during its time, and then
combines and shortens the Zhuhr and ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayers after Fajr Prayer, before starting his journey
to
Cairo
by bus. He then takes the plane from there and reaches his destination at night, which means that he travels all day. Is he correct in performing Zhuhr and ‘Asr after Fajr? If not, what should he do? May Allah reward you and grant you safety. As-salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
A:
It is not permissible for your husband to perform the Zhuhr and ‘Asr Prayers immediately after the Fajr Prayer, as the time for the Zhuhr Prayer has not arrived. It is obligatory on him to offer the Fajr Prayer in its prescribed time, and then combine the Zhuhr and ‘Asr Prayers during the time of the earlier one, after the time for the Zhuhr has started; or during the time of the later one, after the time for the ‘Asr has started and before the sunset.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.