Shortening Salah on entertainment trips

Q 2: Some people go out for a picnic to a cool place and say, 'It is permissible for us to shorten and combine Salah (Prayers) as we are on a journey.' They combine the Maghrib (Sunset) and `Isha' (Night) Prayers and perform two Rak`ahs (units of Prayer) for the `Isha' Prayer. Is this permissible for them? What is permissible for those who have just gone out for a picnic?

A: If they travel more than the distance over which it is permissible to shorten Prayers, it is permissible for them to shorten the four-Rak`ah Salahs (Prayers consisting of four units) and to combine Maghrib and `Isha' Prayers in the time of either one of them. It is also permissible for them to combine Zhuhr (Noon) and `Asr (Afternoon) Prayers in the time of either one of them. This applies whether the people are traveling for a picnic, business, or for Jihad (fighting/striving in the Cause of Allah), because they are all journeys and the Shari`ah does not differentiate between them. In fact, the rulings on traveling are applicable to any type of journey.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.