In this regard we share a Hadith which explains the procedure of combining the Maghrib and Isha prayers during travel. This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 18: Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer) / كتاب التقصير / Chapter 14: Should the Adhan and Iqama be pronounced when the Maghrib and Isha prayers are offered together / باب هَلْ يُؤَذِّنُ أَوْ يُقِيمُ إِذَا جَمَعَ بَيْنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَالْعِشَاءِ فِي الْقِبْلَةِ / as Hadith 1109, given herein under:
Narrated by Az-Zuhri: Salim told me, "`Abdullah bin `Umar said,
'I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) delaying the Maghrib prayer till he offered it along with the `Isha prayer whenever he was in a hurry during the journey.' " Salim said, "Abdullah bin `Umar used to do the same whenever he was in a hurry during the journey. After making the call for Iqama, for the Maghrib prayer he used to offer three rak`at and then perform Taslim. After waiting for a short while, he would pronounce the Iqama for the `Isha' prayer and offer two rak`at and perform Taslim. He never prayed any Nawafil in between the two prayers or after the `Isha' prayers till he got up in the middle of the night (for Tahajjud prayer)."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَعْجَلَهُ السَّيْرُ فِي السَّفَرِ يُؤَخِّرُ صَلاَةَ الْمَغْرِبِ، حَتَّى يَجْمَعَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ الْعِشَاءِ. قَالَ سَالِمٌ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَفْعَلُهُ إِذَا أَعْجَلَهُ السَّيْرُ، وَيُقِيمُ الْمَغْرِبَ فَيُصَلِّيهَا ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ، ثُمَّ قَلَّمَا يَلْبَثُ حَتَّى يُقِيمَ الْعِشَاءَ، فَيُصَلِّيهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ وَلاَ يُسَبِّحُ بَيْنَهَا بِرَكْعَةٍ، وَلاَ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ بِسَجْدَةٍ حَتَّى يَقُومَ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ.
This hadith, narrated by Salim from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar, describes how the Prophet ﷺ — and after him, Ibn ʿUmar — combined Maghrib and ʿIshā’ prayers during travel when in a hurry. It sheds light on a concession (rukhsah) granted in Islam for travelers and is deeply rooted in both Qur’anic principles and Prophetic Sunnah.
Before we explain this hadith, let us first know what minimum distance one must travel from his place of residence when the concession of shortening of Dhur, Asr and Isha prayers from four to two rak'ah is admissible. It is generally agreed that an individual will only be regarded as a Musafir (traveler) after making a firm intention of travelling 77 km (48 miles) or more from his current location. If the individual travels from place to place, intending to travel less than 77 km (48 miles) between each location, he will not be considered a Musafir. Some scholars/schools of thoughts extend this distance to 80 or even 88 kilometres. Also this concession is valid for a maximum of fifteen days. If one intends to stay more than fifteen days out of his place of residence, then concession of shortening of prayer is not admissible.
Explanation of the Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ, when in a state of urgency during travel, would delay Maghrib and combine it with ʿIshā’. Ibn ʿUmar followed this practice:
- First praying Maghrib (3 rakʿahs) with Iqāmah and Taslīm,
- Then, after a short pause, praying ʿIshā’ (2 rakʿahs) with Iqāmah and Taslīm. Here one can see that instead of otherwise 4 rak'ah of Isha prayer, only two rak;ah have been prayed due to concession given to the travelers to shorten the fard rak'ah by half.
- He did not pray Sunnah (Nawāfil) between them or after, until he woke in the night for Tahajjud.
Explanation in Light of the Qur’an
While the Qur'an does not explicitly mention combining prayers, it provides general allowances for shortening prayer (qasr) during travel:
- “And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer...” Surah An-Nisa (4:101)
- This verse confirms that the hardship of travel justifies modifying the prayer schedule, which includes shortening (qasr) and combining (jamʿ) prayers as shown in the Sunnah.
Explanation in Light of the Sunnah
- Combining Prayers During Travel:
- Numerous hadith confirm that the Prophet ﷺ combined Dhuhr with ʿAsr, and Maghrib with ʿIshā’ when traveling, especially when in a rush, facing hardship, or during bad weather:
- "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to combine Maghrib and ʿIshā’ when he was in a state of travel." Sahih Muslim
- "He would do this without fear or rain, but simply to avoid difficulty for his Ummah." Sahih Muslim, narration of Ibn ʿAbbās
- Delaying Without Joining (Jama' al-Sūrah):
- The Prophet ﷺ sometimes delayed Maghrib until just before ʿIshā’ and then prayed them consecutively, each with its own Iqāmah — as described in this hadith.
- This is sometimes referred to as "Jamaʿ al-Sūrah" (apparent combination) versus "Jamaʿ al-Haqiqī" (actual combining).
What this Sunnah Teaches us:
- Flexibility in Islam: Islam allows practical accommodations during travel to reduce burden — reflecting divine mercy.
- Sunnah-based action: Ibn ʿUmar’s imitation of the Prophet ﷺ shows the deep respect for and adherence to Prophetic practice.
- No Nawafil between combined prayers: When combining Maghrib and ʿIshā’ out of necessity, nafl prayers are delayed, emphasizing focus on fard obligations during times of urgency.
- Night worship (Tahajjud): Despite skipping Nawafil earlier, Ibn ʿUmar still performed Qiyām al-Layl — showing commitment to voluntary worship when time permitted.
Summary:
This hadith teaches that combining Maghrib and ʿIshā’, likewise Dhur and Asr prayers, during travel is a valid Sunnah, supported by the Qur’anic allowance to modify prayers when journeying. It emphasizes intentional worship, prioritization during difficulty, and practical mercy in Islam’s structure of daily rituals.
You may like to watch a video on shortening and combining of prayers by Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem:
Sheikh Assim bin Luqman al-Hakeem (Arabic: عاصم بن لقمان الحكيم; born 23 November 1962) is a Saudi Arabian cleric of Indonesian descent. He is based primarily in the city of Jeddah, where he hosts programs dealing with Islam. Al-Hakeem mostly talks in English and he is also known for his witty sarcasm and humorous approach to questions.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
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Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Photo | Source of Hadith | Resource reference: | 1 | 2 | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith
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