Again there is difference of opinion within Sunni schools of jurisprudence. The Hanafi School is against combining prayers except in form of Suri combination (i.e. one which just looks like combining but in actual 2 prayers are said in their own separate and respective times). They are against Haqeeqi (actual) combination. On the other hand Shafis, Hanblis, Shias, and Salafis are of the opinion that prayers can be combined even outside their respective times, such as Zuhr can be combined with Asr prayer, and Maghrib can be combined with Isha prayer. However, they differ on the point whether prayers can be combined without being in state of fear or travelling.

There is a misconception that Shias reject 5 daily prayers and they only pray thrice. This is a gross accusation because Shias accept to pray five daily prayers and they consider it recommended to pray them separately. However, they have strong proofs of combining them together if need be.

The Hanafi derive their proof from Qu’ran which states:

…Prayer at fixed times has been decreed on the believers. (4:103. Taken from variety of translations)

From this verse they conclusively derive that every prayer is obligatory on its specific time. No prayer can be said outside its timing. This is indeed a very strong viewpoint, rather the strongest one.

There are some hadiths too which Hanafis use, such as:

Abdullah (b. 'Umar) reported: I have never seen Allah's Messenger, (ﷺ) but observing the prayers at their appointed times except two prayers, sunset and Isha, at Muzdalifa* (where he deferred the sunset prayer to combine it with Isha and he observed the dawn prayer before its stipulated time on that day (10th of Dhu'l- Hijja). [Sahih Muslim, Book 7, Hadith 2956]

 

*Muzdalifa is a place in Makkah which is associated with Hajj (pilgrimage). It is located between Mina and Arafat.

There are other hadiths too.

On the other hand Shafis, Salafis, and Shia have many proofs which establish combining prayers within the timing of one prayer.

There are many hadiths that talk about doing it when travelling, if it rains, or in fear. We shall only show the hadiths which prove that combining them even without traveling or in state of fear is allowed.

Ibn Abbas said: "Allah's Messenger combined the Zuhr and Asr (prayers), and the Maghrib and Isha (prayers) in Al- Madinah, without being in a state of fear, nor due to rain." [Jami’ at- Tirmidhi, Hadith # 187. The hadith is declared “Authentic” in Salafi Dar us Salaam version]

In another hadith of Prophet (Peace be upon him), there is substantive explanation in end. It states:

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. [Sahih Muslim, Hadith # 1516]

Hence, it is allowed so that the great Ummah does not get into hardship.

Reconciliation: All the opinions have strong proofs. The Hanafi stance is strongest as it is based on a Qur’anic verse. The opinion of Shia is also based on authentic hadiths.