Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Volume 02❖ Question
What is the ruling on offering the two Sunnah Rak‘ahs of Maghrib prayer inside the mosque? Some people claim that it is not permissible and should only be performed at home.❖ Answer
The Hadith states:"Make some of your prayers in your houses and do not turn them into graves."
(Mishkat, Chapter: Masajid and Places of Prayer, First Section)
From these Ahadith, it is evident that offering Nawafil and Sunnah prayers at home is preferable. However, offering them in the mosque is also permissible.
This ruling applies not just to Maghrib, but to all times. During the Prophet’s (ﷺ) era, the Companions used to pray the Sunnahs of Maghrib in the mosque.
❖ Supporting Ahadith
① Abdullah bin Mughaffal narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"Pray two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib."
He repeated it twice, and on the third time said:
"Whoever wishes may pray them,"
(so that people would not consider it obligatory).
(Agreed upon)
② Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported:
"We were in Madinah. When the call for Maghrib prayer was made, people would rush to the pillars of the mosque and perform two Rak‘ahs (of Sunnah). They prayed in such large numbers that a stranger entering the mosque would think that the Maghrib prayer had already been offered."
(Narrated by Muslim, Mishkat: Chapter on Sunnah and Its Virtues)
This authentic narration clearly proves that the Companions prayed the Sunnahs of Maghrib in the mosque. Otherwise, the statement about strangers mistaking the Sunnahs for the congregational prayer would have no relevance or meaning.
Understand and reflect carefully.
(Tanzeem Ahl-e-Hadith Lahore, Vol. 18, Issue 21)
