question #1 Sahih Muslim 705f, Book 6, Hadith 66 : What is the significance of combining prayers in Islam, as practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)?

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed in Medina seven (rak’ahs) and eight (rak’ahs), i. e. (be combined) the noon and afternoon prayers (eight rak’ahs) and the sunset and ‘Isha’ prayers (seven rak’ahs).