It is permissible to advancely join prayers in rainy weather for a congregation whose members come together from far places if all of them will be harmed by the rain.

The same is true for hail and snow if they melt as they fall and soak one's clothing.

This also applies to damp cold wind in which case it is permissible to join if it soaks the clothing.

This does not apply to mud, wind, darkness, illness, fear, or other excuses which permit leaving congregational and Friday prayers.

These conditions do not permit joining because they existed at the time of the Prophet (P. B. U. H) and it was not reported that he joined prayers because of any of them and for the hadith of the times of prayer which should not be gone against except with another clear evidence.

Delayed joining in rainy weather is not permissible.

The evidence that it is permitted to advancely join prayers in rainy weather is what Ibn Abbas (G. p. H) said:

"The Prophet (P. B. U. H) performed Thuhr and Asr prayers together, and Maghrib and Isha prayers together without fear or travel".

[Muslim, Vol. 1, The Book of the Prayer of Travellers and Shortening it. Chapter 6/49].

Maiek (G. p. H) said: "I believe that was in rainy weather".

Al-Shafi'i has the same opinion.

Some Shan't scholars have permitted both advanced and delayed joining of prayers in illness.

For example, one may suffer great illness at the time of the first prayer so he delays performing it till the time of the second, or he may suffer in the time of the second so he advances it to the time of the first. However, it is known that illness, mud, cold, wind, and darkness do not permit joining for the above mentioned reasons.

Those who permit joining have based this on the hadith by Ibn Abbas (G. p. H) who said:

"The Messenger of Allah (P. B. U. H) joined Thuhr and Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers in Medina without fear or rain".

[Muslim, Vol. 1, The Book of the Prayer of Travellers and Shortening it, Chapter 6/54].

Al-Nawawi said in Al-Majmu'; "The evidence is that joining is

(permissible) either in illness, or what is similar.

Also the need of an ill or frightened person is more urgent than the need of one who has to walk in rainy weather".(pa: 256)