and this is exactly what is established from the hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) in the narration of al-Hakim and in Abu Nuʿaym’s Mustakhraj of Muslim; it is likewise confirmed from the hadith of Muʿadh (may Allah be pleased with him) in the Sunan of al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, as mentioned earlier.
Third degree: If the traveller is settled during the times of both prayers and will remain so continuously, the predominant Sunnah of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—is that he would not combine them; rather, he would perform each prayer in its own time, shortened, as he did at Mina and on most of his journeys. Nonetheless, he would occasionally combine them while staying in one place for an extended period, as is reported from Muʿadh (may Allah be pleased with him): they set out with the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—on the expedition of Tabuk, “and the Messenger of Allah used to combine Dhuhr and ʿAsr, and Maghrib and ʿIshaʾ. One day he delayed the prayer, then came out and performed Dhuhr and ʿAsr together; then he went back inside, came out again, and performed Maghrib and ʿIshaʾ together” (1), he said—