Is it permissible for a neighbor of the mosque who lives very close to combine prayers due to rain?

Some scholars have permitted combining prayers in the aforementioned scenario (the view of the Hanbalis, and the non-preferred opinion among the Shafi'is), while others have prohibited it (the preferred opinion among the Shafi'is). Still others have permitted combining prayers subordinately, but not independently (the view of the Malikis). Combining prayers is requested for those who administer mosques but reside outside them, as a kindness to them in attaining the virtue of congregational prayer. However, those who administer mosques and reside within them should only combine prayers subordinately to someone whose home is outside the mosque.