* Ruling on praying at times when prayer is not allowed

* One of my friend, who is very punctual in offering Namaaz, has seen
offeringnamaaz sometimes even when the sun is setting. He is of the
view that offering Namaaz at sun set or sun rise time is not a sin and
it might be just a makrooh. I told him thatoffering prayer at sun set
or sun rise time is not allowed and it might be a sin also. Because to
have distinction with non-muslims, it has not been allowed to offer
namaaz at this time.
Please tell me whether offering of prayers(Namaaz) at sun set or sun
rise time is makrooh or a sin and why?
Praise be to Allaah.
It is mustahabb to pray naafil prayers at all times, except at the
times when praying is not allowed. These times are from afterFajr
prayer until the sun has risen to the height of a spear; from noon
time until after the sun has passed its zenith, which is at mid-day
for about five minutes before the sun reaches its zenith; and from
after 'Asr prayer until the sun sets. What is meant is the prayer
whicheach person does by himself; once he has prayed 'Asr it becomes
haraam for him to pray until the sun has set, except in specific
cases, when it is not haraam. See Question # 306.
The reason why it (prayer at these times) is not allowed is so as to
avoid any resemblance to the kuffaar who prostrate to the sun when it
rises as a greeting to it and to express their joy, and theyprostrate
to it when it sets as a farewell to it. The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) was keen to put a stop to all things
that may lead to shirk, or that might involve any resemblance to the
mushrikeen. With regard to the prohibition on praying when the sun is
near its zenith, this is because this is the time when the Fire of
Hell is intensified, as was reported from the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him), so we should refrain from praying at
these times.
Summarized from the fatwas of Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen,