Q 5: Is it absolutely prohibited to perform Salah (Prayer) between `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer and Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer or can it be performed at certain times?

A: It is Wajib (obligatory) for a person who forgets to offer an obligatory Salah or sleeps before offering it, to offer this obligatory Salah once he wakes up or remembers it even if it is after the time of `Asr Prayer. (Part No. 7; Page No. 278) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, He who misses a prayer because he sleeps or forgets it should offer it when he remembers it, there is no expiation for it, except this. Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. In addition, it is permissible for whoever enters the Masjid (mosque) after `Asr Prayer to offer Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid (two-unit Prayer to salute the mosque) at the time between `Asr Prayer and sunset. This applies to all other Nafilah (supererogatory) Salahs offered due to specific reasons such as the two Rak`ahs of Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) or Salat-ul-Kusuf (Prayer at the time of a solar eclipse) according to the most preponderant view of religious scholars. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, When anyone among you enters the Masjid, he should not sit until he has observed two Rak`ahs. Also the Prophet (peace be upon him) said concerning solar eclipse, When you see that, pray and invoke Allah until the eclipse is over. Furthermore, it is reported on the authority of Jubayr ibn Mut`im (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, O Banu `Abd Manaf, do not prevent any person from making Tawaf (circumambulation) around this House (Ka`bah) or performing Salah (therein) at any time, day or night. Related by Ahmad and Asahab-ul-Sunan (authors of Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes). (Part No. 7; Page No. 279) As for the Nafilah (supererogatory) Salahs that have no specific reasons and which are known as Nafl Mutlaq (an unlimited supererogatory act of worship), it is not permissible to offer them at Awqat Al-Nahy (times when it is prohibited to offer unlimited supererogatory Prayer [after `Asr and Fajr Prayers]).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.