Can people who need to get up early for work in the West combine Maghrib and ‘Ishā and go to sleep?

Question: There are people who work in France. Their work begins at Fajr and finishes at Maghrib, and there are only 4 hours between ‘Ishā and Fajr. However, between Maghrib and Fajr, there are 7 hours. So, is it allowed for them to combine Maghrib and ‘Ishā at Maghrib time so that they can sleep sufficiently and therefore get to work on time the following day?

Answer: If it is difficult for them to pray on time, then they should combine Maghrib and ‘Ishā based upon the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbās (radiyallāhu ‘anhumā) wherein he said: “The Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) combined Dhuhr and ‘Asr, and he combined Maghrib and ‘Ishā in Madinah without being in a state of fear, and it was not raining.” The people asked him: “What was the reason for that?” He replied: “So as not to put his Ummah through hardship.” (Muslim no. 705) So this was the reason that was indicated by Ibn ‘Abbās showing when combining the prayers becomes allowable.

Abu Khadeejah. See: Fatāwā ʿAlat-Tareeq fee Masā’il Mutanawwiyah of Al-ʿAllāmah Muhammad Ibn Sālih Al-ʿUthaimeen, p. 202, no. 369.