"We heard Abu Umamah Al-Bahili say: 'I heard 'Amrah bin 'Abasah say: I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, is there any moment which brings one close to Allah than another, or any moment that should be sought out for remembering Allah? He said: 'Yes, the closest that the Lord is to His slave is in the last part of the night, so if you can be among those who remember Allah at that time, then do so. For prayer is attended and witnessed (by the angels) until the sun rises, then it rises between the two horns of the Shaitan, that is the time when the disbelievers pray, so do not pray until the sun had risen to the height of a spear and its rays have disappeared. Then prayer is attended and witness (by the angels) until the sun is directly overhead at midday, and that is the time when the gates of Hell are opened and it is stoked up. So do not pray until the shadows appear. Then prayer is attended and witnessed (by angels) until the sun sets, and it sets between the horns of a Shaitan, and that is the time when the disbelievers pray.'"
The Book of the Times (of Prayer) - Sunan an-Nasa'i 572
"We heard Abu Umamah Al-Bahili say: 'I heard 'Amrah bin 'Abasah say: I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, is there any moment which brings one close to Allah than another, or any moment that should be sought out for remembering Allah? He said: 'Yes, the closest that the Lord is to His slave is in the last part of the night, so if you can be among those who remember Allah at that time, then do so. For prayer is attended and witnessed (by the angels) until the sun rises, then it rises between the two horns of the Shaitan, that is the time when the disbelievers pray, so do not pray until the sun had risen to the height of a spear and its rays have disappeared. Then prayer is attended and witness (by the angels) until the sun is directly overhead at midday, and that is the time when the gates of Hell are opened and it is stoked up. So do not pray until the shadows appear. Then prayer is attended and witnessed (by angels) until the sun sets, and it sets between the horns of a Shaitan, and that is the time when the disbelievers pray.'"
Commentary on the Excellence of Night Prayer
The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the special virtue of the last third of the night when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks: "Who is asking Me so that I may give him? Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?" This is the prime time for tahajjud prayers and sincere supplication.
Prohibition of Prayer at Sunrise
The time when the sun rises between the two horns of Satan refers to the period of approximately 15-20 minutes after sunrise. During this time, prayer is forbidden because it coincides with the time when sun-worshippers prostrate to the sun. The prohibition lasts until the sun rises to the height of a spear (about 12-15 degrees above the horizon).
The Noon Period and Hell's Gates
When the sun reaches its zenith at midday, the gates of Hell are stirred up and its heat intensifies. This is another prohibited time for voluntary prayers until the shadows begin to lengthen after midday (when the sun moves from its zenith). This prohibition applies only to nafl prayers, not the obligatory Zuhr prayer.
The Sunset Prohibition
Similar to sunrise, the time when the sun sets between the horns of Satan is also prohibited for prayer. This refers to the brief period during sunset when disbelievers traditionally worshipped the sun. The Maghrib prayer itself is performed immediately after sunset, but voluntary prayers during the actual setting are forbidden.
Angelic Attendance in Prayers
The hadith mentions that prayers are "attended and witnessed" by angels during approved times. This indicates that angels record these prayers and bear witness to them before Allah, adding to their spiritual weight and significance in the divine records.