Combining Prayers
Assalamu Alaikum.
I am an airline pilot by profession and I follow the Hanafi School of Thought. Last year, once or twice, out of severe necessity I combined my Zuhur and Asr prayer during the time I was on duty as a musafir. I understand that it is not permitted under the Hanafi fiqh, but I exempted myself and followed the ruling of the rest 3 madhabs where it is permitted to combine prayers during travel. Am I sinful for deviating from the Hanafi school of thought (which I follow)? May I continue to use this exemption in dire necessary situations?
Jazak’Allah Khair
Answer
WaʿAlaykumus Salām Wa Raḥmatullāhi Wa Barakātuh
In this case-specific scenario, you will not be sinful and your past prayers will be deemed fulfilled.
In the future, the laws of the Ḥanafī Madhab which you follow shall apply under all circumstances unless you are faced with such dire circumstances, and as a result, it is virtually impossible to perform each Ṣalāh in its prescribed time, then in such instance, you may combine the prayers.
Again, this is not a general ruling that is applied across the board, but rather specific to this enquired scenario.