Ibn 'Abbas one day addressed us in the afternoon (after the afternoon prayer) till the sun disappeared and the stars appeared, and the people began to say: Prayer, prayer. A person from Banu Tamim came there. He neither slackened nor turned away, but (continued crying): Prayer, prayer. Ibn 'Abbas said: May you be deprived of your mother, do you teach me Sunnah? And then he said: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) combining the noon and afternoon prayers and the sunset and 'Isha' prayers. 'Abdullah b. Shaqiq said: Some doubt was created in my mind about it. So I came to Abu Huraira and asked him (about it) and he testified his assertion.
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Sahih Muslim 705g - Commentary by Classical Scholars
Narrative Context
Ibn 'Abbas delayed addressing the people until after 'Asr prayer, continuing until stars appeared at dusk. When urged to pray Maghrib, he affirmed his authority in Sunnah knowledge, citing the Prophet's practice of prayer combination.
Legal Analysis
This hadith establishes the permissibility of combining prayers (jam' al-salat) while resident, not just during travel. The combination mentioned is jam' al-ta'khir (delayed combination) where Dhuhr and 'Asr are prayed together at 'Asr time, and Maghrib and 'Isha at 'Isha time.
Scholars note Ibn 'Abbas's strong response indicates this was an established Sunnah practice, not merely a travel concession. The verification by Abu Huraira confirms the authenticity of this ruling.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam Nawawi explains this demonstrates combining prayers is permissible for residents when there is genuine need or difficulty. The Hanbali school permits combination for rain, illness, or other valid excuses.
The Tamimī's insistence on immediate prayer reflects the common understanding, while Ibn 'Abbas's knowledge of this Sunnah shows the depth of his scholarship and the flexibility in prayer timings under certain circumstances.