In the sunnah of the prophet, it is known that he would on occasion combine his salawat, especially when not doing so would cause hardship (e.g., travelling). For example, the following practice was narrated by Ibn Abbas:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed the noon and afternoon prayers together, and the sunset and Isha' prayers together without being in a state of fear or in a state of journey.
When this combined salat is performed, in what way (if any) does its form differ from the normal separated salawat? As in, if one were to (hypothetically) combine the dhuhr and asr salawat, would they…
- …pray a normal salat with eight rakat?
- …pray a normal salat with four rakat, immediately followed by another normal salat with four rakat?
- …pray a salat with eight rakat, with a taslim and/or takbir between the fourth and fifth rakat?
- …none of the above?