How strong is the argument that combining prayers is a virtual, not a real, combination?

The "combining" mentioned in the حديث (Hadith (definition)) of Ibn Abbas, which states that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, combined the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, and the Maghrib and Isha prayers in Madinah without fear or rain, is a pictorial or apparent combining. This is achieved by delaying the Dhuhr prayer until the end of its time, and performing the Asr prayer at the beginning of its time. The same applies to the Maghrib and Isha prayers. This view is strong and has been favored by many scholars. It is supported by other narrations from Ibn Abbas, Ibn Mas'ud, and Ibn Umar, which clarify that this combining was in the form of delaying the first prayer and advancing the second prayer.