Is it permissible to combine and shorten the Maghrib and Isha prayers in Jeddah, knowing that I am a resident of Makkah and study in Jeddah in an evening program that sometimes ends before Isha?

The majority of scholars stipulate for the permissibility of combining two prayers that the travel distance must be a distance that permits shortening prayers (qasr). If the distance between Mecca and Jeddah does not reach the distance for shortening prayers due to urban sprawl, then combining the prayers is not permissible. There is no hardship in performing prayers at their prescribed times during this journey due to the availability of mosques and places for ablution. We have previously explained the ruling on combining prayers for the student.