The time period for the each of the Five Daily prayer is fixed.
The Fard (Obligatory) prayers are prayed five times a day.
The times for the prayers are as follows:
The timings of which are well described in the following hadeeth: Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ; The Prophet said: ‘The time for the Dhuhr (noon) prayer is when the sun passes the meridian and a man’s shadow is the same length as his height. It lasts until the time of ‘Asr (afternoon) prayer. The time of the ‘Asr prayer is as long as the sun has not become yellow (before it’s setting)69 [in another narration, ‘when the sun is white and clear’70 or ‘while the sun is high’]71. The time of Maghrib (sunset72) prayer is as long as the twilight has not disappeared. The time of the ‘Isha (night) prayer is unto midnight. And the time of the Fajr (dawn) prayer is from the appearance of dawn as long as the sun has not risen (appeared). (Muslim)
The Nafl (Voluntary) prayers
Nafl acts can usually be done at any time, except the times that the Prophet has forbidden. The Prophet would say: ‘If a man cannot offer his (obligatory) prayer perfectly, the defects will be compensated by the nafl (supererogatory) prayer.’ (AbiDawood) The nafl prayers that the Prophet prayed regularly are called the Sunnah prayers. And there are certain other nafl prayers that the Prophet performed so regularly, that there is hardly any evidence of him ever missing them. These are called the Sunnah Muakkadah or Rawatib. However Allah does not burden anyone with more than one can bear.73 Hence none of these prayers are compulsory or obligatory. They are voluntary, with very great rewards if one regularly performs them.
It is reported that Prophet said ‘whoever performs 12 nafl prayers regularly; Allah will make a house for him in Jannah (The Garden, Paradise). These nafl prayers are: 2 rak’ahs before the Fajr (Dawn prayer) 4 rak’ahs before Dhuhr (noon prayer) and 2 after 2 rak’ahs after the Maghrib (Dusk prayer) 2 rak’ahs after the ‘Isha (night prayer)’ (Reported by Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmidhi)
Source: AsSalaah, Pg 43-44
If one missed many prayers he has to make them up in the same order.
Following are some Exceptions:
Some narrations of Hadiths indicates that there are few recommneded time for certain prayers.
Forbidden times for Salaah
There are also certain times at which the Prophet of Allah has forbidden the Muslims to perform any nafl or Sunnah Salaah.
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said: ‘When the iqamah has been said, then there is no other prayer valid (nafl or Sunnah) except the fard prayer for which the iqamah was said.’ (Ahmed, Muslim)
1. It is a general practice of Muslims, who lack knowledge or are blind followers of their mad’hab, to continue praying the Sunnah or nafl prayer after the iqamah for the fard prayer has been called out, especially in the Fajr prayer. This practice is against the philosophy and discipline of the Jam’ah and a clear violation of the above hadeeth. This hadeeth of Prophet Muhammed clearly rejects this practice, and with this evidence and others all the scholars of the Sunnah have prohibited any nafl or Sunnah prayer once the iqamah for the fard has been called out in the mosque. The two Sunnah prayers can be performed after the Fajr’s fard Salaah, as approved by the Prophet 74, or after sunrise.
2. It is forbidden to observe any Salaah at the time of sunrise or sunset since the Prophet said: ‘…but when the sun rises (appears) abstain from prayer, for it rises between the horns of Shaytan.’ (Muslim) Some of the scholars have allowed the Fard prayers at such times, since the Prophet also said, ‘Whoever has forgotten the prayer (due to sleep etc.) he should pray it whenever he remembers it.’ (Bukhari, Muslim). But usually the forbiddance takes precedence over the obligation, so one should avoid praying till the sun is high.
3. The Prophet also forbade praying ‘when the sun is at its height at midday till it passes the meridian.’ (Muslim)
4. There is no Salaah when food is prepared or served for eating. The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Do not pray when the food is prepared.’ (Muslim). He also said: ‘If the dinner is served and the time for prayer comes (in one narration:’ …if the iqamah has been given for prayer’), eat dinner before praying Salat-ul-Maghrib, and do not rush to finish your meal. (Bukhari and Muslim)
5. There is no Salaah for the one who needs to answer the call of nature. The Prophet said: ‘If anyone of you needs to go to the toilet, and the prayer has begun, he should go to the toilet first.’ (Abi Dawood). He also ‘forbade praying when one is suppressing the urge to urinate or defecate.’ (Ibn Majah). So one should leave the Salaah if he falls in such a situation during Salaah.
One shouldn’t pray behind someone who is talking since the Prophet forbade this. He said: ‘Do not pray behind one who is sleeping or one who is talking’ (Abi Dawood, this is a Hasan hadeeth75) “The prohibition of praying behind someone talking is established”76, but there is difference of opinion with regards to praying behind someone who is sleeping since Imam Bukhari (may Allah have Mercy on him) quoted a Saheeh hadeeth from our mother ‘Aisha , who said “The Prophet used to pray while I was lying across in his bed…”, in Saheeh al-Bukhari.
7. There is no Salaah after ‘Asr. Though the Prophet used to pray two rak’ahs after the ‘Asr regularly, this was unique and allowed only for him as he did not permit it for others when asked about it. (Bukhari, Al Baab, Kitabu muwaaqeet AsSalaah))