Muslim

Explanation:
It is evident from the hadith that the Maghrib prayer used to be performed immediately after sunset. In some narrations, it is also mentioned that before the congregational prayer of Maghrib, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) would offer two units (rak‘ahs) of Sunnah prayer, after which the congregation would be established without delay. After completing the prayer, sometimes the noble Companions would also practice archery, and at that time there would still be enough light that they could see where their arrows landed. Among Muslims, performing the Maghrib prayer at its earliest time is a well-established Sunnah. However, the other Sunnah of the Companions, namely archery, has been so forgotten that it is as if it was never practiced at all. Yet, according to Islamic teachings, the learning of martial skills also holds a religious status.

Hadith Footnote: Explanation:

It is evident from the hadith that the Maghrib prayer used to be performed immediately after sunset.

In some narrations, it is also mentioned that before the congregational prayer of Maghrib, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) would perform two units (rak‘ah) of Sunnah prayer, then the congregation would be established immediately, and after completing the prayer, sometimes the Companions would also practice archery.

And at that time, there would still be enough light that they could see the place where their arrows landed.

Among Muslims, performing the Maghrib prayer at its earliest time is a well-established Sunnah.

However, the other Sunnah of the Companions, namely archery, has been so forgotten that it is as if it was never practiced at all.

Whereas, according to Islamic teachings, the learning of martial skills also holds a religious status.

Hadith Commentary:
The implication of this hadith is that the Maghrib prayer should be performed at its earliest time, that is, it should be offered at such a time that even after its completion, daylight still remains. Accordingly, in one narration, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) state in these words that: We would perform the Maghrib prayer with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), then go out and practice archery, and the place where the arrows fell would not be hidden from us.
(Musnad Ahmad: 36/4)
This means that even after covering some distance after Maghrib, there would still be enough light to see where the arrows landed.
(Fath al-Bari: 55/2)
In another narration, there is further clarification that some of the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) would perform the Maghrib prayer with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, al-Mawaqit, Hadith: 521)
That is, they would pray after sunset, and then reach home in such light that the place where the arrows fell would still be visible.
In summary, hastening in the Maghrib prayer is a commendable act.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would perform the prayer immediately after sunset.
It should not be delayed to the extent that stars become visible in the sky and the time for prayer passes. Accordingly, in one hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“My ummah will remain upon the natural disposition (fitrah) as long as they do not delay the Maghrib prayer until the stars appear.”
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 174/1, Hadith: 339)

Commentary:
(1)
The meaning of "seeing the place where the arrow falls" is that the eyesight was effective to such an extent that if a person shot an arrow, due to the lessening of darkness, he would be able to see his arrow falling to the ground.

(2)
One reason for finishing so quickly is that the Maghrib prayer was performed immediately after sunset, and another reason is that the prayer was brief; it did not have lengthy recitation like the other prayers.

Lexical Explanation:
«مَوَاقِعَ نَبْلِه» is the plural of «مَوَاقِع», meaning the places where arrows fall. And «نَبْل» means: arrows. The "nun" has a fatha and the "ba" is sukun. The singular form is not used with these words.

Benefit:
It is not permissible to excessively delay the Maghrib prayer. Performing it promptly is better, as is evident from this hadith.

Hadith Narrator:
(Sayyiduna Rafi‘ ibn Khadij radi Allahu anhu) His kunyah was Abu ‘Abdullah. Due to his young age, he could not participate in the Battle of Badr. He participated continuously in the Battle of Uhud and the subsequent battles. He passed away in 73 or 74 AH at the age of 86.