The Prohibited Times for Prayer and Prayers with a Cause

Question:
May Allah bless you. This questioner asks, Honorable Shaykh: If a person prays during the prohibited times, will his prayer be accepted? And what are the prayers with a cause?

Answer:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited prayer during the prohibited times, and the prohibition implies invalidity, so it is not accepted except for the prayers with a cause. There is a difference of opinion regarding these. The prayers with a cause are those established based on a cause, such as entering the mosque; this is a cause for praying two rak'ahs, meaning entering the mosque for the purpose of sitting. He said: Likewise, among the prayers with a cause are the two rak'ahs of tawaf, and among the prayers with a cause is the sunnah of wudu', and among the prayers with a cause is the funeral prayer, and among the prayers with a cause is the eclipse prayer. These are among the prayers with a cause, and there is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding them. Some looked at the cause and said one prays at any time, while others looked at the prohibition and said one does not pray during the prohibited times. Yes.