Ruling On Combining Prayers Without a Reason?

Question: Is it allowed to combine Salatul Duhr and Asr without any reason?

Answer: In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

The origin is that, without a valid reason, it is not allowed to combine Duhr and Asr. A reason could be a traveler praying at home before traveling, or a resident who is sick. For example, if someone has a surgical procedure and the time of salah enters, they may combine. All of these and similar situations that prevent a person from praying on time are considered valid reasons.

From the Sunnah:

• Sahih Muslim 705b:
  Ibn 'Abbas reported:
  

  "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed the noon and afternoon prayers together in Medina without being in a state of fear or in a state of journey."
  
  (Abu Zubair said: I asked Sa'id [one of the narrators] why he did that. He said: I asked Ibn 'Abbas as you have asked me, and he replied that he [the Holy Prophet] wanted that no one among his Ummah should be put to [unnecessary] hardship.)

Conclusion:

The origin is that it is not allowed to combine Duhr and Asr without a valid reason. Valid reasons include situations such as a traveler praying before traveling, a resident who is sick, or someone undergoing a procedure when the time of salah enters. These and similar situations that prevent a person from praying on time are considered valid reasons.

The authentic hadith from Ibn 'Abbas, where the Prophet (ﷺ) combined prayers in Medina without fear or travel, serves as evidence for Ahlul Sunnah's stance: combining prayers is permitted only in cases of genuine hardship. Without a valid excuse or legitimate difficulty, combining prayers is not allowed.

And Allah knows best.