Is it permissible to combine prayers without an excuse?

Question:
The questioner, Sh. K. from al-Bukayriyah, says: Is it permissible to combine prayers, such as combining the Zuhr and 'Asr prayers in the time of 'Asr, and also combining the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers, without a reason?

Answer:
It is not permissible to combine the two prayers except for a valid legal excuse, such as illness. A sick person who would face hardship if he prayed each prayer in its own time is permitted to combine them. Likewise, a traveler is also permitted to combine the two prayers, either bringing the first forward or delaying the second. Also, in the case of rain, one combines the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers when there is rain or mud that makes it difficult for people to go to the mosque. So, in these conditions where combining is permissible, one may combine Maghrib and 'Isha'. It is not permissible to combine in any other case except for a valid legal excuse. This is because Allah has made every prayer obligatory in its specific time. Allah the Exalted said: meaning that it is obligatory at specific times for each prayer, and it is not permissible to take it out of that time except for a valid legal excuse that permits combining. Yes.