If it is asked: What is an example of hardship? We say: Hardship is when a person is adversely affected by standing and sitting if he performs the two prayers separately, or when it is difficult for him to perform ablution for each prayer. Hardships are of many kinds.

Thus, the governing principle is this: whenever a person would face hardship by not combining the prayers, he may combine them, whether resident or travelling.

His statement, “And between the two night prayers,” means between the sunset and night prayers, due to the following excuses:

First:

His statement, “Because of rain that soaks the clothes,” means that if there is rain heavy and abundant enough to soak one’s clothes, it is permissible to combine the two night prayers. But if it is only light rain that does not soak the clothes, then combining is not permissible, because this type of rain causes no hardship for the legally accountable person. This differs from rain that soaks the clothes, especially during the winter days, for it causes hardship due to the wetness and another hardship due to the cold—particularly if wind accompanies it, in which case the hardship becomes greater.

If it is asked: What is the criterion for clothes being soaked?

The answer is: It is when water drips from the garment if it is wrung out.

Second:

His statement, “And mud”: mud is slipperiness and clay. Thus, if the marketplaces have become muddy from the rain, it is permissible to combine the prayers, even if the rain is no longer falling,