Short answer
In the Hanafi school, yes, but only if you pray Zuhr with the main imam of Arafah (at Masjid Namirah or behind his deputy) while in ihram for Hajj. If you pray in your own tent, alone or with your group, Abu Hanifa held you pray each prayer at its own time. The other schools allow combining for everyone.
Joining Asr to Zuhr at Arafah is a rite of Hajj. Abu Hanifa's conditions are praying behind the imam of the Hajj (or his deputy) and being in Hajj ihram for both prayers. His two students allowed someone praying alone to combine. Many Hanafi muftis today advise those in tents to pray each on time.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Combining at Arafah is allowed for every traveller, alone or in congregation.
- Maliki
- Combining is a rite of Hajj for everyone at Arafah, alone or in a group.
- Hanbali
- Combining at Arafah does not depend on praying with the imam; one praying alone or in a group may combine.
Explanation
On the Day of Arafah the Prophet ﷺ gave his sermon, then the call to prayer and iqamah were made and he prayed Zuhr, then another iqamah and he prayed Asr, with nothing between them. He then stood in dua until sunset. All four schools accept this combining at Arafah.
The question is who it applies to. Abu Hanifa saw it as tied to the congregation of the imam of the Hajj, as it was done in the Prophet's time. Abu Yusuf and Muhammad allowed every pilgrim to join, even in his own tent. Most Hanafi texts give Abu Hanifa's view as the madhhab.
- In your tent: pray Zuhr at Zuhr time and Asr at Asr time, with congregation in the tent if you can. Many Hanafi scholars give this advice.
- Shortening: a traveller prays two rakats of each. Whether you are a traveller depends on your stay (see shortening in Makkah and Mina).
- After the prayers: the main act of the day is dua and dhikr until sunset (see the best dhikr of Arafah).
Following your group's scholar here is fine; this is a recognised difference among Hanafi imams. For Maghrib and Isha at Muzdalifah, which every Hanafi joins, see Muzdalifah.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:198
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَآ أَفَضْتُم مِّنْ عَرَفَٰتٍۢ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عِندَ ٱلْمَشْعَرِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَٱذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَإِن كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ﴿١٩٨﴾
There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord [during Hajj]. But when you depart from 'Arafat, remember Allah at al- Mash'ar al-Haram. And remember Him, as He has guided you, for indeed, you were before that among those astray.
Arafah is a station of worship and remembrance.
Sahih Muslim 1218
Sahih... ثم أذن ثم أقام فصلى الظهر ثم أقام فصلى العصر ولم يصل بينهما شيئا ...
"Then the adhan was called, then the iqamah, and he prayed Zuhr; then the iqamah, and he prayed Asr, praying nothing between them."
The combining of Zuhr and Asr at Arafah.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-ihram, on Arafah. Abu Hanifa's conditions of the imam and ihram; his students' view.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj. One praying alone at Arafah prays each prayer at its time in Abu Hanifa's view.
- al-Mughni (Ibn Qudama), Kitab al-Hajj, on Arafah. The Hanbali view that combining does not depend on praying with the imam.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.