What is the ruling on prayer during the prohibited times?

Question:
If a person enters the mosque during a prohibited time, should he pray two rak'ahs or sit down?

Answer:
If a person enters a time of prohibition—for example, entering the mosque after 'Asr, or after Fajr—the sunnah (recommended practice) is to pray two rak'ahs, even if it is a time of prohibition. This is the preferred opinion among the scholars, and it is the position supported by the evidence. This prayer is called one of the prayers with a cause. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and he did not say: "except the time of 'Asr" or "except the time of Fajr." No, he said (peace and blessings be upon him): , so he commanded him to pray two rak'ahs while the imam was delivering the sermon. This is a time in which standing up for prayer is prohibited if one is sitting, and yet he was commanded to pray two rak'ahs and then sit down while the imam was delivering the sermon; and that is only because of the great status of these two rak'ahs.
Likewise, the prayer of tawaf: if a person comes to the Sacred Mosque after 'Asr and performs tawaf, he prays two rak'ahs, just like the greeting of the mosque, because it is one of the prayers with a cause. Likewise, in the case of Fajr, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): .
Likewise, in the case of an eclipse: if the sun is eclipsed after 'Asr, the people pray, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded this and did not exclude one time over another. He said: , and in the other wording: , and to the remembrance of Allah, and to His supplication and seeking of forgiveness. So this prayer has no prohibited time; rather, whenever an eclipse occurs, it is prescribed for the people to pray, even if it is after 'Asr. And if the sun rises eclipsed, they pray the eclipse prayer. Yes.