Short answer
In the Hanafi school it is best to pray Fajr when the dawn light has spread (isfar), to delay Dhuhr in summer heat, to pray Asr while the sun is still bright, to pray Maghrib straight away, and to delay Isha to about a third of the night. The other three schools generally prefer the start of each time, including Fajr in the dark.
The recommended (mustahabb) times are: Fajr in isfar, with enough time left to repeat it if needed; Dhuhr early in winter and later in summer; Asr delayed but before the sun turns pale; Maghrib at once; Isha delayed to a third of the night. Delaying Asr until the sun yellows, Maghrib until the stars crowd, or Isha past midnight without excuse is makruh.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Praying at the start of the time is best for every prayer, including Fajr in the dark, except delaying Dhuhr in strong heat.
- Maliki
- Early is generally best; Fajr is prayed in the dark of early dawn.
- Hanbali
- Early is generally best, except that Isha is better delayed and Dhuhr is delayed in strong heat.
Explanation
Each prayer has a time window. Praying anywhere in it is valid, but some parts are better. The Hanafi school sets these preferences from hadith such as "Pray Fajr when the light spreads, for that is greater in reward" and "When the heat is intense, delay Dhuhr until it is cooler".
- Fajr: for men, when the light has spread and you can see, but leaving enough time to repeat the prayer with good recitation before sunrise. In Ramadan many masjids pray earlier so people can go back to sleep after suhoor. For women at home, earlier is better.
- Dhuhr: early in winter; in summer, delay it until the heat breaks.
- Asr: delay it somewhat, so that more voluntary prayer can be prayed before it, but pray while the sun is still white and bright. Delaying until it yellows is makruh tahrimi. On when Asr begins, see when Dhuhr ends and Asr begins.
- Maghrib: straight after sunset. Delaying until many stars appear is makruh.
- Isha: best up to a third of the night, allowed up to half, disliked after midnight without reason. See is it sunnah to delay Isha.
- Witr: the end of the night if you trust yourself to wake.
On cloudy days the Hanafi texts say to pray Asr and Isha a little early and the other prayers a little late, to be sure of the time.
In congregation: follow your masjid's iqamah times. Praying with the congregation is more important than catching the ideal minute. For today's times, use our Islamic midnight calculator and Isha time.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:103
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا ﴿١٠٣﴾
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
Each prayer has an appointed time.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 154
Grading to be checked... أسفروا بالفجر فإنه أعظم للأجر ...
"Pray Fajr when the light has spread, for that is greater in reward."
The Hanafi basis for praying Fajr in isfar.
Sahih al-Bukhari 536
Sahih... إذا اشتد الحر فأبردوا بالصلاة ...
"When the heat becomes intense, delay the prayer until it is cooler."
Delaying Dhuhr in summer.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the times. Isfar in Fajr, delaying Dhuhr in summer, delaying Asr while the sun is unchanged, hastening Maghrib and delaying Isha to before a third of the night are mustahabb.
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the times. The recommended and disliked parts of each prayer time, and the rule for cloudy days.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.