What is the time of necessity for the Zuhr, 'Asr, and Maghrib prayers?

This is a message we received from the questioner Yusuf 'Umar, from Khartoum, the Democratic Republic of Sudan. He says in his message: I hope you will inform me about the time of necessity for each of the Zuhr, 'Asr, and Maghrib prayers?
Answer: As for Zuhr, there is no time of necessity in it; the entire time is a time of choice. When the sun passes its zenith, the time for Zuhr begins, and the time remains a time of choice until the shadow of every object becomes equal to its height after the shadow of the zenith. All of this is a time of choice. However, it is better to perform it at the beginning of the time, after the adhan is called, the rawatib are prayed, and the imam waits a little so that people gather and pray at the beginning of the time. This is the best. If one delays it until the middle of the time or until the end of the time, there is no blame on him.
As for 'Asr, it has a time of choice and a time of necessity. As for the time of choice, it is from the beginning of the 'Asr time until the sun turns yellow. This is the time of choice. When the sun turns yellow, it becomes a time of necessity, and it is not permissible to delay it until then. If one prays it in that time, he has performed it within its time until the sun sets. However, it is not permissible for him to delay it; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And he said regarding the hypocrite: He mentioned this as a description of the hypocrites. So the believer does not delay it until the sun turns yellow, but he hastens to pray it before the sun turns yellow, in the time of choice.
As for Maghrib, its entire time is also a time of choice, from when the sun sets until the twilight disappears. All of this is a time of choice. However, it is better to perform it at the beginning of the time. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray it at the beginning of the time. When the mu'adhdhin called the adhan, he would wait a little, then give the iqamah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he would pray it at the beginning of the time. If one delays it for some time, there is nothing wrong with it. Its time ends when the twilight disappears. When the twilight, which is the redness in the direction of the west, disappears, the time for Maghrib ends. So it is an extended time until the red twilight disappears. When it disappears, the time for 'Isha' begins until the middle of the night. And after the middle of the night, it is a time of necessity for 'Isha', so it is not permissible to delay it until after the middle of the night. But what is between the setting of the twilight and the middle of the night is all time for 'Isha'. If one prays it after the middle of the night, he has performed it within its time, but he commits a sin; because he delayed it until the time of necessity.
As for Fajr, its entire time is a time of choice, from the appearance of the dawn until the sun rises. All of this is a time of choice. However, it is better to perform it at the beginning of its time and not delay it until the effect of the night disappears and the light remains complete. Rather, it is better and more preferable to pray it in the darkness. It is not permissible to delay it until the sun rises. Rather, it is obligatory to perform it before the sun rises. And it is better to pray it in the darkness after the appearance of the dawn, after the dawn has split and it is confirmed, the people pray Fajr. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah bless you and reward you with good.