Ruling on combining the Zuhr and 'Asr prayers on the Day of 'Arafah for pilgrims

Q: Is it obligatory to pray Zuhr and 'Asr combined and shortened on 'Arafah, or is it permissible to pray them in full at their respective times?

A: Praying Zuhr and 'Asr combined and shortened on the Day of 'Arafah for pilgrims in the valley of 'Aranah, west of 'Arafah, with one adhan and two iqamahs is a confirmed sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did this during the Farewell Pilgrimage. A believer should not go against the sunnah, but it is not obligatory according to the scholars; rather, it is a confirmed sunnah. If a traveler prays the full prayer, his prayer is valid, but shortening is emphasized because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did so and said: Therefore, he should not go against the sunnah, but rather pray with the people, shortened and combined, combining them by bringing the later prayer forward. If he does not go to the place of standing in 'Arafah itself, and if he prays them in 'Arafah and does not pray in the valley of 'Aranah, there is no harm, out of caution regarding hardship, for people in these times need to get rid of the crowds by any permissible means.