Ruling on Combining and Shortening Prayers for One Who Goes Out on a Picnic

Question:
The questioner says: O honorable Shaykh, we travel on a picnic on some days. Is it permissible for us, O honorable Shaykh, to shorten and combine the prayers, even though we are in a wilderness picnic gathering and have no work? Do we only shorten the prayers and pray each obligatory prayer in its time? Or do we shorten and combine?

Answer:
It is better not to combine; you should pray each prayer in its time. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), during the Farewell Pilgrimage, when he stayed in Mina, used to shorten the prayers but not combine them, because he was staying and resting. So when a person is resting, it is better for him not to combine, even if he is a traveler; he should pray each prayer in its time: the midday prayer in its time, the afternoon prayer in its time, the sunset prayer in its time, and the night prayer... This is the best. If he combines, there is no blame on him, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) combined in Tabuk while he was staying. However, in travel that involves rest, it is better and more appropriate for him not to combine while he is resting, and to pray each prayer in its time. If he combines, there is no blame on him, and praise be to Allah. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you, Your Eminence.