Enjoyment of sight with the precise combination in the rain

Fahad Al-Amari Enjoyment of the sight with the rulings of the combining in the rain (reading and definition) Title of the book: Enjoyment of the sight with the rulings of the combining in the rain Author: Fahad bin Yahya Al-Amari Publisher: Dar Ibn Al-Jawzi for Publishing and Distribution - Dammam Edition number: First Year of printing: 1440 AH Number of pages: 112 Type of book: Verified research Introduction to the subject of the book: Among the blessings of Allah Almighty upon His servants is the blessing of rain, which is a great blessing that people need urgently. Rain is that divine gift that souls long for and spirits yearn toward, to the extent that if it delays for the servants, Muslims are permitted to go out supplicating, raising their hands, in tranquility, humility, and submission, asking it from Allah, who has power over everything, praying to Him a special prayer for this blessing, which is the prayer of Istisqa. However, this blessing may be accompanied by some hardship in repeatedly leaving homes and places of shelter that protect from the pouring water, especially during the time when the rain clouds pour down, and its drops fall heavily, or afterward when the water mixes with the dirt to form mud that hinders movement and makes walking difficult; therefore, and due to the universality and leniency of Shariah and its flexibility, some specific rulings have been legislated for this event, including the concession of combining prayers in some cases of rain, with clear controls and lenient rulings. But these controls and rulings may be hidden from people, and they may also be a subject of disagreement among scholars, thus requiring clarification, study, and presentation to the people so they understand their religion and their worship according to what the Shariah has legislated and approved. This is the reason for the writing of this book: "Enjoyment of the sight with the rulings of the combining in the rain." The author began his book with an introduction mentioning that this treatise is the first in a series: (Legal Summaries) — a series that was conducted through WhatsApp — containing some important and recurring issues in a Muslim’s life, which questions are often asked about. In general, it covers matters that are obligatory or recommended for Muslims to know, not to be ignorant of, and to avoid neglecting their study and review. It includes some rulings related to combining prayers due to rain and mud and similar circumstances. He also mentioned the motives for its compilation: that he wrote it for himself and his brothers, as a response to their questions, as a reminder, review of knowledge and its issues, as a foundation, clarification, and regulation of the visible and audible differences in mosques, and the recurring issues when rain falls; gathering and alerting to what is often overlooked from rulings, Sunnahs, and concessions. He selected the most important of these rulings without lengthy elaboration to avoid boredom and fatigue, with a brief mention of the minor disagreements, as an introduction for beginners, a review for those who are moderate, and an indication that those who wish to expand on the sayings, evidence, and discussions can find them in the books of scholars. Then he titled a section "The Heartbeat of the Book," in which he included some advice, and compiled a set of guidance for students of knowledge — the stars of guidance and oceans of mercy, for defenders of religion and its callers, and for youth in general. He also gave special advice to the imam of the mosque. He then listed the topics organized in the book, which are five: The first topic: Rulings of combining in the rain. In this section, the author discussed sixty-six points concerning issues related to the rulings of combining in the rain. Among the most prominent points he addressed: 1- The definition of "combining" in language, which is gathering and unification, and the types of combining, which are two: - The real combining: which is performing two prayers at the same time, either by bringing them together or delaying one. - The apparent combining: which is delaying the first prayer to its latest time and bringing the second to its earliest time. 2- Mentioning that apparent combining is agreed upon as permissible, but it is disliked unless for necessity, and clarifying that performing a prayer before its time without a reason is not permissible by consensus, nor is delaying a prayer beyond its time without necessity. 3- Clarifying that combining in the rain is subject to disagreement among scholars, and mentioning their opinions, which are five, attributing each to its proponent, then favoring the legality of combining in the rain, citing reasons that support its permissibility, and discussing the evidence of those who prohibit real combining due to rain. 4- Defining concession and Sunnah, and the difference between Sunnah and concession, and between excuse and concession. 5- The disagreement among scholars regarding the ruling on combining due to expected rain, mentioning two opinions, and favoring that it is not permissible, and that combining should not occur unless there is a high probability based on calculations and astronomical data that rain will fall. Among the issues discussed here: the scholars' disagreement over the criterion for the rain in which combining is permissible, favoring that hardship is the criterion, and clarifying what constitutes hardship. Another important issue he discussed: what should one do if they do not wish to combine? And the issue of: if the imam combines and the followers differ, and also if the imam refuses to combine and the followers want to, with the latter two cases leaning toward the imam’s opinion. Among the issues he mentioned under this section: whether it is permissible to combine by early or late, noting that early combining is permissible — the view of Malikis, Shafi’is, and Hanbalis — but late combining is disputed, with two opinions, and the preferred view is that early combining is better and safer because it is the practice of the predecessors and is more gentle on people. And other issues scattered under this section. The second topic: Rulings of combining due to mud. In this section, the author discussed eight points about the most important issues of this topic. Among what he discussed: Definition of mud: it is soft clay, and mentioning scholars’ opinions on the ruling of combining due to mud, which are three, and he favored its permissibility, whether in darkness or otherwise. Regarding the criterion of mud that permits combining, he mentioned that the most likely opinion is that any hardship that occurs justifies it. And other issues. The third topic: Jurisprudential effects resulting from the rulings of combining. He discussed what consequences combining has from a jurisprudential perspective, in four points: - Whoever combines Dhuhr and Asr as early combining, has entered the time of prohibition, so should they pray the Sunnah? - And the issue: whoever combines Maghrib and Isha, how should they pray the Sunnah prayers for them? - And the issue: when should the one who combines Maghrib and Isha pray Witr? - And the issue: do the supplications overlap, so that one suffices, or should they be repeated? The fourth topic: Rulings of the saying of the mu'adhin: "Do not pray in your homes." This section contained fifteen points, and among the most important issues discussed: what is the ruling on this statement from the mu'adhin? He mentioned a disagreement among scholars, revolving between it being a legislated concession for the call to prayer and it being obligatory. The closest — as the author mentioned — is that it is a permitted concession, due to the lack of explicit evidence for obligation. He also discussed: when does the mu'adhin say it? And whether this statement is specific to travel or also applies to residents? And where exactly should it be said in the call to prayer? And other related issues. The fifth topic: Sunnahs performed when rain descends. This section included twenty-three points, covering issues that were the focus of study in this section, and mentioning some of the Sunnahs associated with rain, such as: - The permissibility of saying during rain: "O Allah, beneficial rain," - The permissibility of standing under the rain, and uncovering part of the body to be hit by rain, - The permissibility of supplication during rain, and people praying for each other when rain falls, - And the saying after rain: "We have been given rain by Allah’s grace and mercy." And other issues he included under this section. After this section, he presented three titles, each with a short discussion: First title: Linguistics In which he discussed some benefits about rain related to language and words. Second title: Benefits of rain He discussed the water of rain and its benefits. Finally, he concluded the book with the third title: "A Call for Reflection." And lastly, the index. Despite the small size of the book, the author gathered a large number of important issues on the subject.