A person said to Ibn 'Abbas (as he delayed the prayer): Prayer. He kept silence. He again said: Prayer. He again kept silence, and he again cried: Prayer. He again kept silence and said: May you be deprived of your mother, do you teach us about prayer? We used to combine two prayers during the life of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Sahih Muslim 705 h
Contextual Analysis
This narration demonstrates the permissibility of combining prayers (jam' al-salat) during travel, as practiced during the Prophet's lifetime. Ibn 'Abbas's silence indicates his disapproval of the questioner's ignorance regarding this established Sunnah practice.
Legal Ruling Explanation
The combining of prayers refers to joining Zuhr with 'Asr, and Maghrib with 'Isha, either by advancing the second prayer (jam' taqdim) or delaying the first (jam' ta'khir). This concession applies to travelers meeting specific distance requirements.
Ibn 'Abbas's strong reaction underscores that this was not an innovation but a well-documented practice from the Prophet's era, thus refuting any claim that combining prayers constitutes bid'ah (innovation).
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars note that the questioner's insistence on praying separately reflects a lack of knowledge about travel concessions. Ibn 'Abbas, being a prominent companion and scholar, affirmed the continuity of prophetic practice against uninformed criticism.
This hadith serves as evidence that combining prayers while traveling remains valid until the Day of Judgment, as it was established by the Prophet's continuous practice and confirmed by his companions.