Some forms of combining prayers.

The Shaykh : First, one must maintain performing the prayer at its proper time. Second, it nullifies the role of congregational prayer behind the imam. However, if there is hardship, combining is permissible to remove that hardship. This is unlike combining during travel, where there is no condition other than the existence of travel, whether the travel is difficult or easy. Travel is the operative cause, whereas residence is not a cause; rather, the presence of hardship in residence is the cause.

The questioner : ... A group of our scholars held that combining is permissible for a pressing need for one who does not make it a habit. Is the term "pressing need" considered to be the same as "hardship"?

The Shaykh: No.

The questioner : It is not considered the same.