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Is it permissible to combine prayers, or to pray in a car due to hardship when traveling between cities, given the presence of checkpoints or unsafe conditions?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If it is difficult for a Muslim to perform the Maghrib prayer at its prescribed time, there is no sin upon him in delaying it and combining it with the Isha’ prayer as a delayed combination (jam ta’khir) to alleviate hardship. This is supported by the hadith of Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, combined the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, and the Maghrib and Isha’ prayers in Madinah, neither in a state of fear nor rain. Ibn Abbas was asked about the reason for that, and he said, "So that he would not cause hardship to his Ummah." Ibn Baz explained this as being due to a temporary hardship such as illness, severe cold, or mud. Ibn Uthaymeen said that it is permissible to delay it with the intention of combining if there is an excuse, such as traveling on the major roads of the city. Therefore, it is permissible for you to delay the Maghrib prayer until you reach your home and pray it with the Isha’ prayer as a delayed combination.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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