What are the forbidden times for prayer during the day?

The times when prayer is forbidden are five, in detail: from the break of dawn until sunrise, from sunrise until the sun has risen to the height of a spear (approximately 12-15 minutes), when the sun is at its zenith at midday until it declines, from the 'Asr prayer until sunset, and when the sun begins to set until it is complete.

In brief, there are three times: from dawn until the sun has risen to the height of a spear, from when the sun is at its zenith until it declines, and from the 'Asr prayer until the sun has completely set.

Scholars have differed regarding the prohibition after the break of dawn. The Hanbalis prohibit voluntary prayers after the call to Fajr prayer except for the Sunnah (two rak'ahs) of Fajr. The Shafi'is, however, hold that the prohibition relates to the Fajr prayer itself, meaning voluntary prayers are forbidden after performing it, and this is the more preponderant view.

The evidence for these prohibited times includes noble prophetic hadiths, among which is what Ibn 'Abbas narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade praying after the Subh (Fajr) prayer until the sun rises, and after the 'Asr prayer until the sun sets." And the hadith of 'Uqbah ibn 'Amir al-Juhani, which mentions three times when the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade praying and burying the dead: "When the sun rises brightly until it ascends, when the sun is at its zenith until it declines, and when the sun inclines towards setting until it sets."