Ruling on combining the Friday and 'Asr prayers due to rain

Q: These days, and praise and thanks be to Allah, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has relieved us with rain. We ask Allah, the Most High, the All-Powerful, to make it blessed and to spread its benefit across the lands of the Muslims.
The questioner: A discussion arose among some of the brothers regarding the permissibility of combining prayers when heavy rain falls, causing hardship, at the time of the Friday prayer, between the Friday and 'Asr prayers. Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you.

A: It is not permissible to combine the 'Asr and Friday prayers in rain or otherwise; because that has not been transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), nor from his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) , as far as we know; and because the Friday prayer is not analogous to the Zuhr prayer, but rather it is an independent act of worship, and acts of worship are based on divine legislation, so it is not permissible to introduce anything into them based merely on opinion.
May Allah guide everyone to understanding the religion and steadfastness upon it, for He is the All-Hearing, the Near.