✿ Original Author: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah)
✿ Enhanced with Headings and Structure for Clarity
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Bukhari: 1/157, Hadith: 1183; Sunan Abi Dawood: 1281)
The Prophet ﷺ said twice: “Pray two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib,” and the third time added, “Whoever wishes may do so,” to avoid it becoming obligatory.
Ibn Hajar’s Comment:
This confirms its recommendation, not negation.
(Fath al-Bari: 3/60)
② Abdullah bin Mughaffal رضي الله عنه narrated:
Arabic text retained
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1281 — Authentic Chain)
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged praying two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
③ The Prophet ﷺ said:
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Bukhari: 1/87, Hadith: 624; Sahih Muslim: 1/287, Hadith: 838)
“Between every two Adhans (Adhan and Iqamah), there is a prayer for whoever wishes.”
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Ibn Hibban: 1588 — Authentic)
The Prophet ﷺ himself performed two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
al-Maqrizi declared this narration Sahih.
(Ikhtisar Qiyam al-Layl by al-Maqrizi: 64)
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Bukhari: 1/158, Hadith: 1184)
Uqbah bin Amir رضي الله عنه praised the practice of praying two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
⑥ Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه stated:
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Muslim: 1/278, Hadith: 836)
They used to pray two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib during the Prophet’s time ﷺ, and he never objected to it.
Arabic text retained
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1284)
He did not see anyone praying before Maghrib in the Prophet’s time.
Response:
This is a negative report, while Anas and others affirmed the practice. According to the principle of affirmative evidence outweighing negative, their reports are more reliable.
➋ Imam al-Shafi‘i is quoted:
Arabic text retained
(Kitab al-Umm: 1/102)
He cited some scholars of Madinah who disliked it.
Response:
This was not his own conclusion. Elsewhere, he acknowledged its virtue and permissibility based on Hadith.
➌ Imam Malik رحمه الله:
Arabic text retained
(Muwatta Imam Malik — Chapter on Prayer before Maghrib)
He discouraged it due to preference for promptness in Maghrib.
Response:
His reasoning is jurisprudential. It does not negate the Hadiths, which many scholars upheld over Malik’s opinion.
➍ Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما said:
Arabic text retained
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 1165)
He did not witness the Prophet ﷺ praying before Maghrib.
Response:
Again, this is a negative observation, outweighed by the positive affirmations of Anas and others.
➎ Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal:
Arabic text retained
(al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: 1/439)
He reportedly said: “I do not advocate it.”
Response:
Imam Ahmad was cautious but did not deny the practice. He simply did not emphasize it, unlike other Imams who affirmed its recommendation.
➏ Aisha رضي الله عنها narrated:
Arabic text retained
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 435)
This Hadith praises two Rak‘ahs after Maghrib, but does not negate pre-Maghrib Rak‘ahs.
Following this Sunnah is a sign of love for the Prophet ﷺ and a means to attain nearness to Allah.
✿ Enhanced with Headings and Structure for Clarity
❀ Introduction
Multiple verbal (قولی), practical (فعلی), and approving (تقریری) Hadiths of the Prophet ﷺ affirm that performing two Rak‘ahs before the Maghrib prayer is Mustahabb (recommended). Observing this practice reflects love for the Sunnah and the Prophet ﷺ. May Allah grant us the ability to act upon this Sunnah — Ameen.✿ Categories of Sunnah
- Qawli Sunnah – Verbal teachings of the Prophet ﷺ
- Fi‘li Sunnah – The Prophet’s own actions
- Taqrīrī Sunnah – Practices approved by the Prophet ﷺ
❀ Qawli (Verbal) Hadiths on Two Rak‘ahs Before Maghrib
① Abu Sa‘id Abdullah bin Mughaffal رضي الله عنه narrated:Arabic text retained
(Sahih Bukhari: 1/157, Hadith: 1183; Sunan Abi Dawood: 1281)
The Prophet ﷺ said twice: “Pray two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib,” and the third time added, “Whoever wishes may do so,” to avoid it becoming obligatory.
Ibn Hajar’s Comment:This confirms its recommendation, not negation.
(Fath al-Bari: 3/60)
② Abdullah bin Mughaffal رضي الله عنه narrated:
Arabic text retained
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1281 — Authentic Chain)
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged praying two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
③ The Prophet ﷺ said:
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Bukhari: 1/87, Hadith: 624; Sahih Muslim: 1/287, Hadith: 838)
“Between every two Adhans (Adhan and Iqamah), there is a prayer for whoever wishes.”
❀ Fi‘li (Practical) Hadiths
④ Abdullah al-Muzani رضي الله عنه reported:Arabic text retained
(Sahih Ibn Hibban: 1588 — Authentic)
The Prophet ﷺ himself performed two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
al-Maqrizi declared this narration Sahih.(Ikhtisar Qiyam al-Layl by al-Maqrizi: 64)
❀ Taqrīrī (Approving) Hadiths
⑤ Marthad bin Abdullah narrated:Arabic text retained
(Sahih Bukhari: 1/158, Hadith: 1184)
Uqbah bin Amir رضي الله عنه praised the practice of praying two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.
⑥ Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه stated:
Arabic text retained
(Sahih Muslim: 1/278, Hadith: 836)
They used to pray two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib during the Prophet’s time ﷺ, and he never objected to it.
❀ Arguments of the Opponents and Their Refutations
➊ Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما said:Arabic text retained
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1284)
He did not see anyone praying before Maghrib in the Prophet’s time.
Response:This is a negative report, while Anas and others affirmed the practice. According to the principle of affirmative evidence outweighing negative, their reports are more reliable.
➋ Imam al-Shafi‘i is quoted:
Arabic text retained
(Kitab al-Umm: 1/102)
He cited some scholars of Madinah who disliked it.
Response:This was not his own conclusion. Elsewhere, he acknowledged its virtue and permissibility based on Hadith.
➌ Imam Malik رحمه الله:
Arabic text retained
(Muwatta Imam Malik — Chapter on Prayer before Maghrib)
He discouraged it due to preference for promptness in Maghrib.
Response:His reasoning is jurisprudential. It does not negate the Hadiths, which many scholars upheld over Malik’s opinion.
➍ Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما said:
Arabic text retained
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 1165)
He did not witness the Prophet ﷺ praying before Maghrib.
Response:Again, this is a negative observation, outweighed by the positive affirmations of Anas and others.
➎ Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal:
Arabic text retained
(al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: 1/439)
He reportedly said: “I do not advocate it.”
Response:Imam Ahmad was cautious but did not deny the practice. He simply did not emphasize it, unlike other Imams who affirmed its recommendation.
➏ Aisha رضي الله عنها narrated:
Arabic text retained
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 435)
This Hadith praises two Rak‘ahs after Maghrib, but does not negate pre-Maghrib Rak‘ahs.
❀ Conclusion
Opposing opinions are largely based on absence of observation, personal interpretations, or juristic preferences. However, authentic Hadiths provide both verbal commands, Prophetic actions, and Sahabi approval in favor of the two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib.Following this Sunnah is a sign of love for the Prophet ﷺ and a means to attain nearness to Allah.
