Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
From this hadith as well, it is understood that a command (amr) is for obligation (wujub), but then the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), by saying "for whoever wishes" (liman shaa’a), lifted this obligation.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
In reality, the imperative form (amr) is for obligation (wujub), provided that there is no contextual indicator (qarinah) preventing it, which would divert it from obligation. If there is a contextual indicator (qarinah sarifah) present, then at that time, it no longer remains for obligation according to its original form and construction. As in this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) commanded twice to pray before the Maghrib prayer, and the third time said, "Whoever wishes may do so." These words are such a contextual indicator that diverts this command from obligation. There is a clear indication in this that performing two voluntary (nafl) units before Maghrib is not necessary, but despite this, people used to perform them in abundance. Thus, it is narrated from Anas (radi Allahu anhu) that in Madinah Tayyibah, when the mu’adhdhin would give the adhan for Maghrib, all of us would rush towards the pillars and perform two units. People would perform these two units in such abundance that a stranger would think that the congregation for Maghrib had already taken place. (Sahih Muslim, Salat al-Musafirin, Hadith: 1939(837))

Marthad bin Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) came to Uqbah (radi Allahu anhu) and said: "Is it not strange that Abu Tamim performs two units before the Maghrib prayer?" Uqbah (radi Allahu anhu) replied: "We also used to perform them during the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)." He asked: "Why do you not perform them now?" He replied: "Due to being occupied, we are unable to do so." (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Tahajjud, Hadith: 1184)

It is also narrated from Anas (radi Allahu anhu) that we would perform two units after sunset, and the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would be watching us, yet he would neither command us to do so nor prohibit us from it. (Sahih Muslim, Salat al-Musafirin, Hadith: 1938(838))

2.
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has established from this hadith that, in principle, the imperative (amr) is for obligation, but if a contextual indicator (qarinah) that diverts from obligation appears, then it is no longer for obligation. As in this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said (لِمَنْ شَاءَ) ("for whoever wishes"), thereby ending the obligation. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
The correspondence between the hadith and the chapter is evident: if one wishes, he may perform these two rak‘ahs before the congregational prayer of Maghrib.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In one narration, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Pray two rak‘ahs before Maghrib, pray two rak‘ahs before Maghrib.”
Then, the third time, he also added these words:
“For whoever wishes.”
He said this out of concern that people might consider it a binding Sunnah.
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 3/267)
In this regard, there is also a general statement of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that there is prayer between every two calls to prayer, meaning between the adhan and the iqamah.
But the third time, he said this statement with the condition: only for whoever wishes.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Adhan, Hadith: 824)
(2)
What the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said at the end of this hadith is not intended to negate its recommendation (istihbab), because it is not possible that he would command something that is not recommended. Rather, this hadith is a strong proof of the recommendation of this prayer.
In Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, it is mentioned that the narrator of this hadith, Abdullah ibn Buraidah (radi Allahu anhu), himself used to pray two rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 3/266)
This refutes those who say that this Sunnah was not maintained, but rather was abandoned during the era of the noble Companions and the great Followers (Tabi‘in).

1281. Commentary:
Performing two rak‘ahs of Sunnah after the Maghrib adhan and before the iqamah is a recommended and desirable act. In the era of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) used to perform them with great zeal and eagerness. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned them twice, saying: «صلُّوا قبلَ صلاةِ المغربِ» “Pray before the Maghrib prayer.” The third time, he said: «لمن شاء» “For whoever wishes.” [صحيح بخاري : 1183 وصحيح مسلم : 838]
He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said this so that people would not consider it an established Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah). The practice of the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) was that immediately after the Maghrib adhan and before the iqamah, they would perform two rak‘ahs, as Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that when the mu’adhdhin in Madinah would finish the Maghrib adhan, all of us would rush towards the pillars and perform two rak‘ahs. People would perform these two rak‘ahs in such abundance that a newcomer would think the Maghrib prayer had already been offered. See: [صحيح مسلم، صلاة المسافرين، حديث : 837]
Furthermore, Marthad bin ‘Abdullah once came to ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir and said, “Is it not strange that Abu Tamim performs two rak‘ahs before the Maghrib prayer?” ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir (radi Allahu anhu) replied, “We too used to perform them during the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).” He asked, “Why do you not perform them now?” He replied, “Due to being preoccupied.” See: [صحيح بخاري : 1184]
In addition, it is narrated in Sahih Ibn Hibban that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself also performed two rak‘ahs before Maghrib. See: [صحيح ابن حبان : 1588]
To abandon such a beloved and desirable Sunnah, despite the statement and action of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), on the basis of an imam’s opinion or a juristic verdict, is a great deprivation.

Takhrij:
«أخرجه البخاري، التهجد، باب الصلاة قبل المغرب، حديث:1183، وابن حبان (موارد الظمآن):617، وحديث أنس أخرجه مسلم، حديث:836.»©

Explanation:
The two units (rak‘ahs) performed before the obligatory Maghrib prayer are counted among the additional Sunnahs (sunan za’idah), not among the emphasized Sunnahs (sunan mu’akkadah).
Performing them is recommended (mustahabb), therefore, they should be performed.

© Hadith Narrator:
«عبداللہ بن مغفل مزنی» was called Muzani (with a dammah on the meem and a fathah on the za) due to his affiliation with the Muzaynah tribe.
In the name Mughafal, there is a dammah on the “meem,” a fathah on the “ghayn,” and a fathah and shaddah on the “fa.”
He was among the Companions of the Tree (ashab al-shajarah).
He first resided in Madinah, and later settled in Egypt.
He was among those ten Companions whom ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu sent to teach the people of Basrah.
He passed away in the year 60 AH.