A surgeon combining two prayers

A question on a doctor performing surgery that lasts several hours, in which Jordan's General Iftaa Department answered that he must pray on time where possible, but if that is impossible for fear for the patient he may intend to combine the prayers by delaying the first. ¹

The questioner asked whether a doctor performing an operation lasting several hours may combine two prayers. ¹

The Department answered that a Muslim must keep to praying on time as far as possible, so if the doctor can postpone the operation, pray before it, or will have time to pray after it, he may not delay the prayer. ¹ If that is impossible, jurists allow bringing a prayer forward or delaying it for need, or for fear of losing a duty or an interest the sharia protects, such as life or property; it quoted al-Ramli's gloss on Asna al-Matalib that this applies to someone busy rescuing a drowning person or fending off an attacker. ¹ It quoted Bughyat al-Mustarshidin that al-Khattabi reported from Abu Ishaq that combining while resident is allowed for need, a view also held by Ibn al-Mundhir, and the Hanbali al-Insaf that combining is allowed for anyone with an occupation or excuse that would permit missing the Friday or congregational prayer. ¹ It concluded that a doctor busy with an operation who cannot pray on time for fear for the patient may intend to combine the prayers by delay. ¹

Jordan's General Iftaa Department published this fatwa on aliftaa.jo as no. 3836, dated 30 November 2023. ¹ The museum records this text as a historical document attributed to the body or scholar that issued it; it issues no ruling of its own.