include her; in which case she may not combine, because she is not among those required to attend the congregational prayer.

The stronger view is that combining is not permissible in these three cases. In the second case, he gains nothing from such combining; and in the third case, it is because a woman is not among those required to attend the congregational prayer.

Thus, what the author means by his statement, “Even if he prays in his home, or in a mosque whose route lies beneath a covered passage,” is that if he is among those required to attend the congregational prayer and prays with them, there is no harm in his combining along with the people, so that he does not miss the congregational prayer.

The preferable course is to do what is easier for him, whether delaying or bringing the prayer forward.

His statement, “The preferable course is to do what is easier for him, whether delaying or bringing the prayer forward,” means that for one who is permitted to combine the prayers, the preferable course is whichever of delaying or bringing them forward is easier for him. If delaying is easier, then he should delay; and if bringing them forward is easier, then he should bring them forward.

The evidence for this is as follows:

1. The statement of Allah, Exalted is He: “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.” [al-Baqarah: 185]

2. The statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “Indeed, the religion is ease.” (1)

3. The hadith of Mu'adh: “During the expedition to Tabuk, if the Prophet ﷺ set out before the sun had passed its zenith, he would delay the noon prayer until he combined it with the afternoon prayer, praying them both together. But if he set out after the sun had passed its zenith, he would bring the afternoon prayer forward to the noon prayer and pray the noon and afternoon prayers together, then continue on …” (2)