Question:
Assalamualaikum wrm.wbt.,
I want to ask regarding the jamak prayer for Friday and Asar prayer or Zuhur and Asar prayer; which is prioritized? Is it permissible for me to jamak the Friday and Asar prayer? Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrm. wbt.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
First, a traveller is given a choice as to whether to perform the Friday or Zuhur prayer without any one of it is prioritized over the other. The reason is the obligation of a traveller to perform the Friday prayer is abrogated. Refer al-Mu’tamad by Syeikh Muhammad al-Zuhaili (1/498).
Second, it is permissible for a traveller to perform jamak taqdim or jamak ta’khir according to madhhab al-Syafie. However, Imam Abu Hanifah ruled jamak as impermissible with the exception for a person during hajj. Thus, some Syafieyyah scholars considers it is prioritized to not perform jamak to avoid the khilaf. Refer al-Mu’tamad (1/477).
Third, it is permissible to perform jamak taqdim for Friday and Asar prayers because of rain or travels, for Friday prayer is badal (replacement) for Zuhur prayer. Refer al-Majmu’ (4/383) by Imam al-Nawawi, Asna’ al-Matalib (1/242) by Imam Zakariyya al-Ansari.
In this matter, a person knows and understands more of his situation and necessities. Thus, considering the samahah and tolerance in Islam, a person can determine his own preferences so that he is able to perform his prayers in any situation and this is prioritized.
Wallahua’lam.