Jam' bayn al-Salatayn (Combining Prayers)

Jam' bayn al-Salatayn (Arabic: جمع بين الصلاتين) means "combining the two prayers" and refers to the Shia Islamic practice of praying Dhuhr and Asr immediately after one another, as well as Maghrib and Isha immediately after one another. This is one of the most visible differences between Shia and Sunni prayer practice.

In Shia fiqh, it is permitted — and entirely common — to pray Dhuhr and Asr consecutively within the shared time window from Dhuhr to sunset, as well as Maghrib and Isha from sunset to midnight. Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) combined Dhuhr and Asr together and Maghrib and Isha together without reason of fear or travel — to ease the burden on his community" (Al-Kafi by Shaykh al-Kulayni, vol. 3).

This practice is also documented in Sunni hadith collections. In Sahih Muslim (vol. 1, Kitab al-Salah), Ibn Abbas narrates: "The Prophet prayed Dhuhr and Asr together, and Maghrib and Isha together in Medina, without fear or rain." This hadith shows that combining was not only permitted during travel, but also under normal circumstances.

Islamic scholars confirm that combining is permitted at any time, although it is best (afdal) to pray each prayer at its recommended time (waqt al-fadilah). For many Shia Muslims in Western countries, combining prayers is a practical advantage that makes it easier to maintain the daily prayers, especially during work hours. The most important thing is that all five prayers are performed within their correct time windows.