Which is better: to pray Dhuhr in congregation which is performed half an hour before the time for 'Asr prayer begins, or to pray it individually at the beginning of Dhuhr's time?

The dearest deeds to Allah are prayers performed on time. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions hastened to perform them in compliance with Allah's saying: (So race to all that is good). The people of the village should be advised to perform the prayer at the beginning of its time. Delaying the prayer may lead to its being missed, except for an excuse such as intense heat (al-ibrad).

As for preferring performing prayer individually at the beginning of its time or in congregation at the end of its time, scholars have differed. Some preferred performing it individually at the beginning of its time, some preferred delaying it for the congregation, and some recommended performing it twice. The most preponderant view is that adhering to the congregation is better due to its virtue and obligation, unless waiting becomes difficult, in which case one should pray individually at the beginning of the time if no congregation is found.