The Optional and Necessity-Based Time for the 'Isha' Prayer

When does the time for the 'Isha' prayer end?
Answer: At the middle of the night. When the night reaches its midpoint, that is the end. The length of the night varies; if the night is ten hours, the midpoint is reached after five hours have passed, and if the night is twelve hours, the midpoint is reached after six hours have passed. It is not permissible for a believer to delay the prayer until after the midpoint. He should pray before the midpoint. It is obligatory to pray in congregation, except for those with an excuse, such as the sick or a woman, who are not to delay it until after the middle of the night. Yes.
The presenter: We have learned from you, Your Eminence the Shaykh, that there is also a time in which a Muslim can pray the 'Isha' prayer, which is after the middle of the night...
The Shaykh: If he missed it, if he missed the time, he prays it after the midpoint; because what is after the midpoint is a time of dire necessity until the dawn breaks. It is like one who misses the 'Asr prayer until the sun turns yellow; he prays it even after the sun has turned yellow. He is sinful if he did so intentionally, but he has prayed it within the time. However, he is not to delay it until after the middle of the night, and he is not to delay the 'Asr prayer until after the sun turns yellow. But if, for example, an unforeseen circumstance arises and the sun turns yellow, he is not to delay it; rather, he should hasten and pray the 'Asr prayer before the sun sets. He should repent to Allah if he was intentional. Likewise, if he delays the 'Isha' prayer due to negligence or forgetfulness until the night reaches its midpoint, he must repent and perform it after the midpoint. He is not to delay it until the dawn. He must hasten to pray it after the midpoint, along with repentance to Allah if it was intentional. But if it was due to forgetfulness or sleep, he owes nothing.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.