What is the difference between jamak prayer and qasar prayer?
There are 2 types of solat for those who are travelling or in a state of musafir; Jamak and Qasar. Jamak is combining two prayers at one time period and it has 2 types; Taqdeem and Ta’khir. Jamak Taqdeem is combining Asar with Zuhur and Isya with maghrib. Jamak Ta’khir is combining Zuhur in the time of Asar and Maghrib in the time of Isya’.
Qasar is the shortening of a 4 raka’at prayer into a 2 raka’at prayer.
Both these prayers are a gift from Allah s.w.t to give ease for those in a state of musafir.
What is the difference between Jamak and Qadha’?
Jamak is combining two prayers in one period of time, which is:
1) Performing Zuhur in the time of Asar or vice versa.
2) Performing Maghrib in the time of Isya’ or vice versa.
It may be performed when one is in a state of dharurah or musafir.
Qadha’ is repaying a missed solat in another time period. It may be performed at any time.
When combining prayers, for example zuhur in the time of asar, which one should be performed first?
The prayer you mentioned is called jamak ta'khir. For jamak ta'khir of Zuhur to Asar, you can perform either one first. Although it is recommended according to some ulama, to perform the Asar prayer first since that is the time of Asar. The same goes when Maghrib is performed in the time of Isya', either one can be performed first though it is recommended to perform Isya' first.
The same goes for jamak taqdeem, when performing Asar in the time of Zuhur or Isya' in the time of Maghrib, it is preferable to perform Zuhur/ Isya' first.
Subuh prayer cannot be combined.
Does one have to repay the prayers that one has missed?
It is necessary for a Muslim who missed his solat, to re-pay that solat at other times, as soon as possible, with the niat of qadha' when re-paying that solat
How does one pay off missed solat (prayer) when one has not performed it for a very long period of time (months/ years)?
We must perform our missed solat (prayers) regardless whether we miss them intentionally or not. This is the position of the vast majority of Muslim scholars (ulama). It is good that you have the realisation to repay your missed solat. And it is good also that you have estimated the number of missed solat. If there are other ways to make your estimation better, than you should do it. If not, your best estimation on the number of missed solat will do.
What you can do now is to perform them. You can do it gradually. For example, after every solat, you perform the qadak solat (the missed solat). For example, after solat zuhur, you perform qadak solat Zuhur. Do this for the period that you have mentioned, and a little bit more, just in case you underestimate. Insya Allah, Allah will assist you in this regard.
Can someone perform jamak prayer when he/ she is overseas for a long period of time?
Solat Jamak, that is combining Zuhur to Asar or vice versa; and combining Maghrib to Isyak or vice versa, can only be performed by travellers. The maximum number of days one can perform solat jamak when one has reached the destination is 3 days, provided that he leaves that country on the fourth day. But if he knows before hand that he will stay in that country for more than 3 days, he cannot perform solat jamak from the day he arrives. This is because he is no longer considered a traveller.
What is the minimum distance of travel for one to be eligible to perform jamak prayer?
The minimum distance for performing jamak is more than 80km.
Is it permisible for one to perform jamak if one’s working hours do not permit one to perform solat on time?
Allah has bestowed solat jamak on those who are travelling (musafir). For those who are in their own country, they are forbidden to do so with the exception of dharurah cases. Dharurah means a situation that very rarely happens, for example once or twice a year.
In the case of working hours that do not permit one to perform solat on time, effort must be made to perform it on time as much as possible. If all efforts has been made but to no avail, and the work one does is extremely vital and must be given full attention and the working hours very rarely clash with prayer times, it is therefore permissible for one to perform jamak, as no other way out has been found and as it is better than qadha’.
Source:
http://ibnbattutah.com/travel/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6:qadha-jamak-a-qasar&catid=5:info
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