Can I combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers while travelling?
Yes, combining prayers while travelling is permitted according to the majority of scholars based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas (RA) and consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
The ruling: A traveller may combine Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha. This can be done either by praying both at the time of the first (Jam' Taqdim) or both at the time of the second (Jam' Ta'khir).
Conditions:
1. The distance must be approximately 80km (the travel distance for qasr - shortening)
2. You must be in a state of travel when combining
3. Intention to combine should be made
Shortening (Qasr): Along with combining, 4-rak'ah prayers are shortened to 2. This is Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly emphasised) — in fact, Ibn Umar (RA) said the Prophet ﷺ always shortened while travelling.
When does travel begin/end? Travel begins when you leave the boundary of your city and ends when you return or form intention to stay 4+ days at your destination (Hanafi: 15+ days).
This fatwa reflects the position of the majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali). The Hanafi school permits combining only for Arafah/Muzdalifah during Hajj under normal circumstances.