We set out with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the Tabuk expedition, and he observed the noon and afternoon prayers together and the sunset and 'Isha' prayers together.
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Author: Sahih Muslim | Hadith Reference: Sahih Muslim 706a
Textual Analysis
This narration from the Tabuk expedition demonstrates the Prophet's practice of combining prayers during travel. The combining of Dhuhr and 'Asr, followed by Maghrib and 'Isha, indicates the permissibility of jam' al-salat (prayer combination) for travelers.
Legal Ruling (Hukm)
The majority of scholars hold that combining prayers is permissible for travelers based on this and similar authentic narrations. This applies to both jam' al-taqdim (advancing) and jam' al-ta'khir (delaying) methods, though the former is more commonly practiced.
Conditions and Application
The distance qualifying for travel concessions is generally considered to be approximately 48 miles (77 km) or more. The combining should be done with proper sequence and without excessive delay between the combined prayers. This concession reflects the mercy of Islamic law in accommodating the difficulties of journey.
Scholarly Consensus
Imam Malik, al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal all permitted prayer combination for travelers, though they differed on some subsidiary details. This practice is established through multiple authentic chains of transmission and represents a settled matter in Islamic jurisprudence.