We may also delay the performance of maghrib prayer till...

We may also delay the performance of maghrib prayer till before the beginning of the time allotted exclusively to ‘isha’ prayer provided that we finish performing maghrib prayer before the arrival of the time allotted exclusively to ‘isha’ prayer and we can perform ‘isha’ prayer afterward.

As such, we can perform maghrib and ‘isha’ prayers successively though it is recommended to perform maghrib prayer after the religiously prescribed sunset and ‘isha’ prayer after the declension of the aurora from the west. This is the Shi‘ah’s view. As for Ahl as-Sunnah, they say it is not permissible to successively perform zuhr and ‘asr prayers or the maghrib and ‘isha’ prayers at any place or time.

The bone of contention, therefore, is the performance of two prayers at all times and places so that both prayers are performed in the time of one of them just like performing two prayers successively in ‘Arafah and Muzdalifah. 5. All Muslims agree that the Holy Prophet (S) had offered these two prayers in succession, but this tradition is interpreted in two ways: a.

The Shi‘ah say that what is meant by this tradition is that one is allowed to perform zuhr prayer at its appointed time and perform ‘asr prayer immediately after zuhr prayer. Similarly, one is allowed to perform maghrib prayer at its appointed time and perform ‘isha’ prayer immediately after maghrib prayer. And this ruling is applicable without such restrictions like time, place or condition; rather, it is permissible at any time and place. b.

The others say that what is meant by this is that one can wait for a while and perform zuhr prayer at the end of the period of the time allotted exclusively to it and offer ‘asr prayer at its initial period. Also, one can wait for a while and perform the maghrib prayer at the end of the period allotted exclusively to it and offer ‘isha’ prayer at its initial period.

In order to clarify this point, we shall examine the pertinent traditions to prove that what the traditions say about offering two prayers in succession { jam‘ } is consistent with what the Shi‘ah say. That is, one can offer the two prayers at the time of the other, and not in the end of the period of the time allotted exclusively to it and the other one at its initial period. A glance at the traditions 1.