Question: When does the time for ‘ishā’ prayer end? If someone does not say it before shar‘ī midnight, how should he intend offering ‘ishā’ prayer?

Answer: The time for ‘ishā’ prayer starts a few minutes – enough to say maghrib prayer – after maghrib adhān until shar‘ī midnight; And it is not permissible to delay maghrib and ‘ishā’ prayers untill midnight. However, if the maghrib and ‘ishā’ prayers are not said before shar‘ī midnight due to an excuse or due to a sin, they should, as a precaution, be performed until the morning adhān without the intention of saying them as adā’ or qaḍā’ (i.e. to intend saying them as our duty in general).