But Wasn't that Due to Travel, Fear, or Rain? Many traditions from the Prophet (s) clearly indicate that he used to combine prayers withoutany particular reason. ‰ The Prophet (s) prayed in Madinah, while residing there, not travelling, seven and eight (this is an indication to the seven Raka't of Maghriband 'Isha' combined, and the eight Raka't of Zuhrand `Asrcombined). [Ahmad ibn Hanbal, al-Musnad, vol. 1, page 221] ‰ The Prophet (s) prayed Zuhrand `Asrin combination and Maghriband 'Isha' in combination without a reason for fear or travel. [Malik ibn Anas, al-Muwatta', vol. 1, page 161] Indeed, we are even told in some traditions about the rationality behind this practice of the Prophet (s). It was for the convenience of the ummah!‰ Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (s) combined the noon prayer with the afternoon prayer and the sunset prayer with the 'Isha' prayer in Medina without being in a state of danger or rainfall. And in the hadith transmitted by Waki' (the words are): “I said to Ibn 'Abbas: What prompted him to do that? He said: So that his (Prophet's) Ummah should not be put to (unnecessary) hardship.”[Sahih Muslim(English translation), Kitab al-Salat, Book 4, Chapter 100 Combination of prayers when one is resident, hadith no. 1520; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, vol. 1, p. 26]