Ibn Majah

Commentary: ➊ These Sunnah prayers after Maghrib are emphasized (mu’akkadah). Their virtue and importance have been mentioned in Hadith number 1140. ➋ It is preferable to perform Sunnah and voluntary (nafl) prayers at home, except for Tahiyyat al-Masjid, which is specific to the mosque.

1758. Commentary: Imam Abu Ja'far Tabari states that the most frequent practice of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was to perform four rak‘ahs before the Zuhr prayer. Occasionally, he would also perform two rak‘ahs. For further details, see: (Fath al-Bari, under the explanation of hadith: 1182)

1759. Commentary: For further details on this difference of opinion, see Fath al-Bari, 3/59, Hadith: 1182.

Hadith Commentary:
This hadith does not correspond to the chapter heading, because in the chapter heading, the mention is of two rak‘ahs before Zuhr, whereas perhaps the intent of the chapter heading is that it is not necessary to perform only two rak‘ahs before Zuhr; one may also perform four.

Hadith Commentary:
In the hadith of Ibn Umar, there is mention of two Sunnah (voluntary) units before the Dhuhr prayer, while in the hadith of Aisha radi Allahu anha, there is mention of four Sunnah units before Dhuhr.
Each narrated according to their own knowledge, so there is no contradiction between the two.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sometimes perform two units, which Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu reported, while he also performed four units, which Aisha radi Allahu anha mentioned.
It is also possible that he would perform two units in the mosque, and if he prayed at home, he would perform four units, as is mentioned in one narration: Aisha radi Allahu anha said:
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would perform four units at home before Dhuhr, then proceed to the mosque.
It is also possible that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would perform two units at home, then go to the mosque and perform two units there.
On this basis, Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu only mentioned the units performed in the mosque, while Aisha radi Allahu anha mentioned the units performed both in the mosque and at home.
In any case, he would mostly perform four units, and occasionally suffice with two units.
(Fath al-Bari: 3/76)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Sometimes the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would perform the night prayer (salah) with fewer than eleven rak‘ahs. Likewise, at times he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would recite lengthy portions of the Qur’an while standing in prayer, and then perform bowing (ruku‘) and prostration (sujud). And sometimes he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would recite lengthy portions of the Qur’an while sitting, and then, without standing up for ruku‘, he would perform bowing and prostration while sitting. At other times, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would recite a significant portion of the Qur’an while sitting, and then towards the end, he would stand and recite thirty or forty verses, after which he would perform bowing and prostration. This was his practice in the latter part of his life, as will be mentioned ahead.

1251. Commentary:
It is preferable to perform the emphasized Sunnah prayers (sunan mu’akkadah) at home; this brings blessings into the home and encourages the household members and children towards prayer and worship. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also emphasized to the Muslims the performance of Sunnah prayers in their homes.

1253. Commentary:
Both performing two units (rak‘ahs) before and after Zuhr, and performing four units before and after, are correct. See: Hadith Sunan Abi Dawud: [1269].