Is it permissible to combine the 'Isha prayer with the Maghrib prayer due to the 'Isha prayer time being delayed until after midnight, along with the hardship of staying up late, caring for a child, household burdens, and anemia?
If you find difficulty in performing the 'Isha prayer at its prescribed time, it is permissible for you to combine it with the Maghrib prayer by performing it earlier (jama' taqdim), provided that this is not a permanent habit, but rather done only as needed and due to hardship. If the hardship ceases, then combining is no longer permissible. Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen was asked about lands where the red twilight (shafaq) delays, and he responded by permitting the combining of 'Isha with Maghrib by performing it earlier to alleviate hardship and difficulty. He supported his answer with the Almighty's saying: "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship" and "and [He] has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty." He also cited the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, combined prayers in Madinah without fear or rain, intending not to cause difficulty for his Ummah.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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