Did some scholars really say that it is permissible to pray the obligatory prayer before its time, contrary to what might be understood from God Almighty's تحديد (designation) of prayer times? And is there a consensus on the invalidity of praying before its time, as Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymin mentioned?

Some of the Salaf, such as Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, and Al-Sha'bi, stated that it is permissible for one who prayed before the time of the prayer entered, provided that they did not do so intentionally. Among the Imams, Ibn Al-Mundhir and Ibn Qudamah attributed this opinion to them.

Ibn Al-Mundhir conveyed the اختلاف (difference of opinion) among scholars on this issue, and he mentioned that Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan, and Al-Sha'bi held that the prayer of one who prayed Dhuhr before Zawwal (midday) while traveling, or 'Isha before the twilight disappeared, out of ignorance or forgetfulness, is sufficient, and that they do not need to repeat it after the time has passed.

However, the majority of scholars believe that prayer is not valid before its prescribed time, regardless of whether the worshipper did so intentionally or by mistake. Ibn Abd al-Barr and Ibn Uthaymeen narrated a consensus on this view, stating that the prayer of one who prayed before its time is invalid, and they are obligated to repeat it. As for the opinion of some of the Salaf, it is interpreted as applying to someone who exerted ijithad (independent reasoning) and prayed, assuming that the time had entered.