between Dhuhr and ʿAsr, and between Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ in Madinah, when there was neither fear nor rain.” In another wording: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed Dhuhr and ʿAsr together, and Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ together, when there was no fear and no travel.” Ibn ʿAbbās was asked why he did that, and he replied, “He wanted not to burden his community,” and in another narration, “He wanted not to burden anyone from his community.” (1)
He also said: “I prayed with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in Madinah eight rakʿahs combined and seven rakʿahs combined—Dhuhr with ʿAsr, and Maghrib with ʿIshāʾ.” (2)
Al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This rules out the view that the combination in question was because of fear, travel, or rain, and some scholars have suggested that it was on account of illness …” (3)
Imam al-Nawawī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “… and some maintained that it is to be interpreted as combining the prayers due to illness, or anything similar that falls under the same ruling …”