Combining Prayers at Work

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 20 Zul-Qa'dah 1422, 3 February 2002


Q.) I have a question about combining Zuhr and Asr at work.

I live in Canada and during winter the prayer times between Zuhr and Asr are very short. Due to the nature of my work I can pray zuhr easily during lunch hour but I found myself missing Asr quite a few times. Making wudu and finding a place to pray requires more time than I have at work. I have heard that under extreme conditions Muslims can combine Zuhr and Asr prayers. It is better to combine than regularly missing. Could you please let me know if I can do this and what are the conditions for it. [Javaid Hasan, Canada.]


A.) The condition for the validity of Salat is the actual time for that particular Salat. Any Salat performed before its time will not be discharged. (Tahtaawi vol.1 pg.117; Qadeemi)

Nabi Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'Whosoever joins two Salats without any valid reason has entered the door of Kabaair (major sin).' (Tirmidhi vol.1 pg.38; Tirmidhi).

1. We advise you endeavour to maintain your Wudhu and when the time for Asr Salat sets in, you should perform the Salat at the workplace. The Salat may be made as short as possible.

2. Secondly, if this is difficult, we suggest you delay your lunch or Dhuhr break where you perform Dhuhr just before the expiry time of Dhuhr and wait until Asr time enters. Then both Salats be performed jointly but during their respective times.

3. You may consider discussing the matter with your management as well.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best