There is a difference of opinion among the schools of thought regarding the issue of combining two prayers. The Ḥanafiys are the strictest and only allow combining prayers at ʽArafāt and Muzdalifah during Ḥajj, while the Ḥanbaliys are the most tolerant and allow combining prayers with the absence of a valid reason and with the presence of hardship. The Mālikiy and Shāfiʽiy schools are moderate, as they allow combining prayers but with a valid reason, although they differ in the details.
Regarding the issue of severe cold weather like today’s weather, the Ḥanbaliys and Mālikiys permit combining two prayers, although the Mālikiys only allow combining Maghrib and ʽIshāʼ prayers. The Ḥanbaliys permit combining prayers in all possible situations. They base their opinion on a narration on the authority of Ibn ʽAbbās that the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) combined prayers eighty-seven times in Medina without fear or rain. When Ibn ʽAbbās was asked about it, he said: he did not want to make things difficult for his ʼUmmah. Therefore, they believe that combining prayers is allowed for the sake of convenience but should not become a regular habit.
Personally, I am inclined towards the opinion that allows combining two prayers with a valid excuse in cases of severe cold weather and strong winds, which can be just as harmful as rain and snow, and sometimes even more so. Allāh says in the Quran: “and [Allāh] has not placed upon you in religion any difficulty” (22:78) and “Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship” (2:185).
After all, Allāh knows best.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr