Ask Qul - Shia Sunni Dialogue - combing of prayers by the Shia

Ask Qul - QA

Question : #286

Subject:	combing of prayers by the Shia
Question:	Why do Shiites combine their prayers? Is it permissible to do so?
Answer:	It is permissible to combine Zuhr and Asr prayers and to perform them separately as it is permissible in both manners. It is narrated that the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh) offered his prayers in both combined as well separate manners. He combined his prayers without being in an urgent situation like war or storm.

Follow Up
Question:

Every prayer as 'awaal waqat' (starting time) and 'akhir waqat' (ending time). It is always better to perform the prayer during the starting time, rather at the end. Since the time of Asar prayer start soon after the start of the Zohr prayers, the Shias perform the Asar prayer during the 'awaal waqat' (starting time), rather than the ending time.

Performing any prayer during the starting time is more desirable than the later time, as the later time is kept for the people who cannot prayer during the beginning due to various factors.