Is it permissible for residents of Mecca and others present in Arafah to combine prayers (Jam'a)?
Chapter on the Description of Hajj
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is permissible for everyone present in Arafah, whether a resident of Mecca or otherwise, to combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers. Scholars agree that the Imam combines them in Arafah, and those praying with the Imam also combine. The evidence is based on the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who combined prayers, and those present, including Meccans, combined with him without being instructed to cease the combination, unlike the command to complete the prayers (i.e., not shorten them) because they were residents (Hadith stating: "Complete the prayers, for we are residents"). Furthermore, Uthman used to complete the prayer because he had established a household, yet he did not cease combining prayers. Ibn al-Zubayr also maintained this practice; it is narrated that he said upon departure that there is no prayer except with combination.
Supporting text
Some of our companions held that combining prayers is only permissible for someone whose distance to their homeland is sixteen *Farsakhs*, drawing an analogy to shortening the prayer (*Qasr*). This opinion is considered incorrect because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not prohibit the Meccans from combining, as would be required if the ruling were restricted, given that delaying clarification beyond the time of need is impermissible, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not knowingly permit an error.