Joining Maghrib and ‘Isha’ because of the curfew
Question

                We are in Iraq and in our city there is a curfew which starts at 10 p.m. The imam of our mosque does not have much knowledge of fiqh, and he has started to combine Maghrib and ‘Isha’. He prays Maghrib with three rak’ahs then he prays ‘Isha’ with four rak'ahs immediately after Maghrib, then after that he gives the adhaan for ‘Isha’ prayer at the time for ‘Isha’.

 Is this action of his in accordance with the Qur’aan and Sunnah, or what? What is the proper manner of performing the fear prayer according to sharee’ah? 

Please advise us, may Allaah reward you.
Praise be to Allah.
    Firstly: 

    Yes, in your situation it is permissible to combine Maghrib 
    and ‘Isha’ prayers. It is narrated in the Sunnah that the Prophet  
    (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to join Maghrib and ‘Isha’ 
    prayers because of rain. Muslim (705) narrated from Sa’eed ibn Jubayr that 
    Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah 
     (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) joined Zuhr and ‘Asr, and 
    Maghrib and ‘Isha’ in Madeenah at times other than times of fear or rain. I 
    said to Ibn ‘Abbaas: Why did he do that? He said: So that his ummah would 
    not be faced with hardship. 

    The fact that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) 
    stated that it was not because of fear or rain indicates that these are 
    two of the reasons for joining prayers. 

    Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said:  

    It is permissible to combine the two evening prayers because 
    of rain, strong cold winds or muddy conditions and the like, and this is the 
    more correct scholarly view. This is the view of the madhhabs of Ahmad, 
    Maalik and others.  

    And he said: It is permissible to combine prayers in the case 
    of severely muddy conditions or severe cold wind on a dark night, etc, even 
    if rain is not actually falling, according to the more sound of the two 
    scholarly opinions. That is better than praying in one's home, because not 
    joining the prayers in the mosque and praying at home instead is an 
    innovation that is contrary to the Sunnah. The Sunnah is to offer the five 
    daily prayers in the mosque in congregation, and that is better than praying 
    at home, according to the consensus of the Muslims. Joining the prayers in 
    the mosque is better than praying them separately at home according to the 
    consensus of those imams who regard joining the prayers as permissible, such 
    as Maalik and al-Shaafa’i. End quote. 

    Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 24/30 
In your situation, the 
    reason for joining the prayers is undoubtedly more pressing than rain. 

    Secondly: 
Joining the prayers in 
    this case applies to those who are required to pray in congregation. As for 
    sick people who pray at home, or women who pray at home, it is not 
    permissible for them to join their prayers. 

    Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 
    4/288 

    But if a person prays at home because of sickness and does 
    not attend the mosque, then it is not permissible for him to join the 
    prayers, because that will not benefit him. Similarly a woman is not 
    permitted to join her prayers because of rain, because she will not benefit 
    from doing so, as she is not one of those who are required to pray in 
    congregation. End quote. 

    See also the answer to question no.
    31172. 

    Thirdly: 

    With regard to his giving the adhaan for ‘Isha’ at the time 
    for ‘Isha’, there is nothing wrong with that, so that those who are praying 
    at home, such as women and the sick, will know that the time for ‘Isha’ 
    prayer has begun. 

    Fourthly: 

    Your describing the imam of your mosque as not having much 
    knowledge of fiqh because he joins Maghrib and ‘Isha’ would seem to be a 
    mistake, as you now know that this action of his is correct, based on the 
    evidence noted above. 

    You should have been easygoing and not hastened to denounce 
    something until you knew whether it was wrong. You should not attribute 
    ignorance to your brother without proof. 

    Fifthly: 

    The fear prayer may be done in several ways, according to the 
    situation and whether the enemy is in the direction of the qiblah or not. We 
    have explained that in the answer to question no
    36896 . 

    And Allaah knows best.