The ruling on whoever offers the Maghrib and 'Isha' Prayers before Muzdalifah

Question :

What is the ruling on whoever offers the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers combined and shortened in the later time (i.e., the time of Al-'Isha') before entering Muzdalifah? This was due to various unforeseen causes. Among these causes was his car stopping on the way to Muzdalifah. Therefore, due to fear of missing the time of the Maghrib and Isha' prayers, as the time was very late, he offered the Maghrib and Isha' prayers at the borders of Muzdalifah, meaning a short distance before Muzdalifah. Then he slept while his car was being fixed. Then, he also offered the Fajr prayer after the time of Fajr entered, and he offered it at the borders of Muzdalifah, as he was not able to enter Muzdalifah until morning after the sun had risen. So, is his offering all of these prayers of Al-Maghrib, Al-'Isha' and Al-Fajr at the borders of Muzdalifah correct? We hope for clarification concerning this from your eminence, along with mentioning the evidence.

Answer:

The prayer is correct everywhere except where the Islamic legislation has excluded as an exception. This is as the Prophet said:
"The earth has been made a Masjid (place of prayer) and a purification for me."

However, what is legislated for the Hajj pilgrim is that he offers the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers together at Muzdalifah if that is possible, before the middle of the night. If he is not able to do so due to crowding or some other reason, he prays it wherever he is. It is not permissible for him to delay these prayers past the middle of the night. This is due to Allâh's Statement:
"Verily, the prayer is prescribed at fixed times on the believers."

This means that it is obligatory to pray them in the (designated) times. This is also due to the statement of the Prophet:
"The time of Al-Isha' (prayer) is until the middle of the night."

This was recorded by Muslim from a Hadith of 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'Aas. And Allâh knows best.

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