Is intention considered a condition for the permissibility of combining prayers (jama‘ al-salat), especially if the intention was not made before the Maghrib prayer, and then the worshippers agreed to combine after its completion to perform the ‘Isha prayer?

Scholars differ on whether the intention for combining prayers (jama' al-salat) is a prerequisite. The preponderant opinion is that the intention for combining is not required at the beginning of the first prayer. Rather, it is permissible to combine prayers after finishing the first prayer, provided its condition is met, such as fear, rain, or illness.