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)."
Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 1109
Hadith Text
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)."
Commentary on the Prophet's Practice
This narration demonstrates the permissibility of combining Maghrib and Isha prayers during travel when necessary. The Prophet (ﷺ) combined them not as a regular practice but specifically when in haste during journey, showing this is a concession (rukhsa) for travelers. The combination here is of Jama' ta'khir (delaying the earlier prayer to combine with the later prayer).
Ibn Umar's Implementation
Abdullah ibn Umar, known for his strict adherence to the Prophet's sunnah, practiced this combination exactly as he witnessed. He would pray Maghrib first (3 rak'at), then after a brief pause, pray Isha (shortened to 2 rak'at). The short waiting period between prayers maintains their distinct identities while still utilizing the concession of combination.
Significance of Omitting Optional Prayers
The absence of nawafil between the combined prayers and after Isha indicates that when combining prayers due to travel constraints, the focus should be on fulfilling the obligatory prayers. The tahajjud prayer later at night shows that supererogatory prayers are still praiseworthy but should not interfere with utilizing travel concessions properly.
Legal Rulings Derived
Scholars derive several rulings: Combining prayers is permissible for travelers, shortening Isha to two rak'at is established, the sequence of prayers should be maintained when combining, and optional prayers may be omitted during travel circumstances. This hadith serves as a foundational text for the laws of prayer during journey.