The timings show the limits for the prayer. The time is a cause mandating the obligation of the prayer and it is one of the prerequisites for the prayer.
The Prophet (SAW) delineated the timings of the five daily prayers in more than one hadith. Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said,
"(The angel) Gabriel led me in the prayers at the House (of Allah) on two (days)." Then he mentioned the timings of the prayers and he (SAW) then said, "Then Gabriel turned to me and said, 'O Muhammad, this is the timing of the prophets before you and your timings are between these two [extremes that he had shown the Prophet (SAW)].'" (Hasan Sahih Abu Dawud)
The five daily prayers are divided between the day and the night. If a person gets his portion of sleep such that he is rested and the morning time is approaching, the time for work and seriousness, the time of the Fajr prayer also comes. This is so that humans consciously realize that they are different from the remainder of the creation. She faces her day and her faith has been increased.
When midday comes, she stops again to ponder over her day with her Lord in the Thuhr Prayer and in order to correct her deeds of the beginning of the day. As mid-afternoon comes, she prays her prayer, facing with it the rest of her day. Then the Maghrib (Sunset) comes. In front of her is the night and the (Sunset and) Isha Prayers during it will carry her through the night, although it is the time of hidden acts, with light and guidance to the sound path. Furthermore, the prayer, in its varied times, is an opportunity to ponder over Allah's dominion and His perfection concerning everything that encompasses man in his night and day.
The Time of the Thuhr Prayer
The time of the Thuhr Prayer begins when the sun passes the meridian or its zenith. The ending of the time for Thuhr is when the shadow of something is equal to the thing's length in the afternoon.
The Time of the Asr Prayer
The beginning of the time for the Asr Prayer is when the shadow of something is equal to its length in the afternoon, as such is when the time for the Thuhr Prayer comes to an end. As for the ending of the time of the Asr Prayer, the choice time by which to pray it is when the shadow of something is twice its own length. However, if necessary, it may be prayed all the way up until (just before) the sun sets.
The Time of the Maghrib Prayer
The beginning of the time for the Maghrib Prayer is when the sun sets. Its final time is when the stars become numerous and form clusters with one another. However, its actual final time, although it is dislike to delay it until this time, is when the twilight is finished.
The Time of the Isha Prayer
Its earliest time is when the twilight has disappeared. Its ending time is when half of the night has passed.
The Time of the Fajr Prayer
Its earliest time is at the second (or true) dawn and its ending time is sunrise.