The ruling on one who forgets and prays 'Asr before Zuhr
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A person was traveling and wanted to combine the Zuhr prayer with the 'Asr prayer, but he did not remember until after he had already prayed 'Asr with the congregation. What is the ruling? And is it better to combine by advancing the prayer or by delaying it?
He prays Zuhr and he owes nothing. The best in combining is whatever is easier for him. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when traveling, if he mounted his mount before the sun passed its zenith, he would delay Zuhr until 'Asr. And if the sun had passed its zenith, he would advance 'Asr to be prayed with Zuhr. Likewise, the sick person who is permitted to combine does whatever is easier for him. It may be easier for him to pray early, so he combines by advancing, such as combining 'Isha' with Maghrib to sleep early. Or it may be the opposite, such as the time for Zuhr coming while he is sleeping, and he delays Zuhr until 'Asr.
The important thing is that the cause of combining is hardship—the hardship of praying at its time. So if this is the cause, then whatever is easier in combining is better.
He prays Zuhr and he owes nothing. The best in combining is whatever is easier for him. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when traveling, if he mounted his mount before the sun passed its zenith, he would delay Zuhr until 'Asr. And if the sun had passed its zenith, he would advance 'Asr to be prayed with Zuhr. Likewise, the sick person who is permitted to combine does whatever is easier for him. It may be easier for him to pray early, so he combines by advancing, such as combining 'Isha' with Maghrib to sleep early. Or it may be the opposite, such as the time for Zuhr coming while he is sleeping, and he delays Zuhr until 'Asr.
The important thing is that the cause of combining is hardship—the hardship of praying at its time. So if this is the cause, then whatever is easier in combining is better.