The prohibition of delaying the day and night prayers till after their times; even for a traveller or sick person ―By Ibn Taymiyyah

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The Muslims are in agreement that it is not permitted to delay the prayer of the day till night, nor the prayer of the night till the day. This is not allowed for the traveller or for the sick person, nor for other than them. However, it is permitted, when there is a need, for a Muslim to combine the two daylight prayers, Dhuhr and ‘Asr, within either of these two prayer times―and to combine the two nighttime prayers, Maghrib and ‘Ishā, if there is a need, within either of these two prayer times. And that would be for the traveller, the sick person, or when it is raining and other than that for those who have an excuse to combine. (See Majmoo’ Al-Fatāwa of Shaikhul-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, 3/428)

The sick person is allowed to delay his fast [until a later day]―the Muslims are in agreement concerning that, but he is not allowed to delay his prayer [beyond its time] and the Muslims are in agreement concerning that. The traveller is allowed to delay his fast [until a later day] by the agreement of the Muslims but he is not allowed to delay the prayer [beyond its time] and the Muslims are in agreement concerning that. (See Majmoo’ Al-Fatāwa of Shaikhul-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, 22/31) Meaning it is not allowed to delay Dhuhr and ‘Asr till the nighttime, nor Maghrib and ‘Ishā till the morning, nor Fajr till after sunrise.

The scholars agree that a Muslim who is sick must pray on time, and can do so sitting down or on his side lying down if by standing and praying, his sickness (or ailment) will worsen―and he is not allowed to delay the pray beyond its time so that he can pray standing up. (See Majmoo’ Al-Fatāwa of Shaikhul-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, 22/30) Meaning, for example, a person is not allowed to delay ‘Asr prayer until Maghrib thinking that by that time he’ll be able to pray standing-up―rather he should pray ‘Asr at its time, even he has to pray seated or lying down due to his illness.

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