and ʿAsr become one continuous span, and Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ likewise share a single interval; yet what was outlined above remains the preferable course. (1)
Proof for the validity of combining at the earlier time (jamʿ al-taqdīm) is the hadith of Muʿādh (may Allah be pleased with him): “We set out with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) on the Expedition of Tabūk, and he would pray Zuhr and ʿAsr together, and Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ together.” (2)
Al-Tirmidhī and Abū Dāwūd report a more detailed version from Muʿādh (may Allah be pleased with him): “During the Expedition of Tabūk, if the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set off before the sun had passed the meridian, he would postpone Zuhr until he could combine it with ʿAsr and pray them together. If he set off after the meridian, he would bring ʿAsr forward to Zuhr, pray them together, and then resume the journey. Likewise, if he set off before Maghrib he would delay Maghrib until he prayed it with ʿIshāʾ, and if he set off after Maghrib he would advance ʿIshāʾ and pray it with Maghrib.” (3)