Is intention a condition for combining the two prayers?

Question:
Some jurists stipulate that in combining the prayers, one must intend the combination before entering into it?

Answer:
This is the well-known view, but the correct view is that it is not required; the correct view is that it is not required... the intention, for example: he prayed Maghrib, then heavy rain occurred, and it became permissible for him to pray with 'Isha'. Likewise, if he started Maghrib while he was healthy, then he was struck by illness, it became permissible for him... according to the correct view, which was chosen by the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and a group of scholars.
And because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not tell them, "I am combining." He would pray Maghrib and not tell them, "I am combining," nor would he do so for 'Asr. This indicates that it is not a condition. If the intention were a condition, he would have informed them, saying, "You will see that we are combining."