Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
Performing two units of nafl (voluntary) prayer before the Maghrib prayer is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), established through his sayings, actions, and tacit approvals. The following authentic Hadiths provide evidence of this practice:
“Pray before Maghrib prayer.” He said it twice, and then the third time he said, “For whoever wants to,” disliking that people might take it as a compulsory practice.
[Sahih Bukhari: 1183, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1281]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) writes:
“It is not to deny the recommendation of these two units because it is impossible that the Prophet (ﷺ) would command something that is not at least recommended. This Hadith is among the strongest evidence for their recommendation.”
[Fath al-Bari in Sharh Sahih Bukhari: 3/60]
“Pray two units before Maghrib prayer.”
[Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1281, and its chain is Hasan]
“There is a prayer between every two calls to prayer (i.e., Adhan and Iqama),” he repeated it three times, and the third time he said, “For whoever wants to.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 624, Sahih Muslim: 1/287, Hadith: 838, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1283, Sunan Tirmidhi: 1/45, Hadith: 185, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1/82, Hadith: 1162, Sunan Nasai: 2/28, Hadith: 682, Musnad Ahmad: 4/86]
The first call refers to the Adhan, and the second call refers to the Iqama. This third saying provides evidence for the permissibility of two units of prayer before Maghrib, as it includes no exceptions, allowing scholars to derive this ruling.
“There is no obligatory prayer except that there are two units before it.”
[Sunan Darqutni: 1/267, Hadith: 1034, and its chain is Hasan]
Imam Ibn Hibban declared this Hadith as "authentic." This Hadith also establishes the permissibility of two units before every obligatory prayer without exception.
“The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed two units before Maghrib.”
[Sahih Ibn Hibban: 1588, Qiyam al-Layl by Marwazi: 64, and its chain is authentic]
Regarding this narration, Allama Maqrizi (رحمه الله) states:
“This chain is authentic according to the criteria of Imam Muslim.”
[Ikhtisar Qiyam al-Layl by Maqrizi: 64]
Despite this, some ignorant people claim:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) probably did not pray any prayer before Maghrib.”
“We used to do this during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).” I asked, “What prevents you now?” He said, “Engagement in work.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 1/158, Hadith: 1184]
Allama Sindhi Hanafi (d. 1139H) writes:
“It is apparent that the two units before Maghrib are permissible, rather recommended, and I have not found any satisfactory answer from those who forbid it.”
[Hashiya Sindhi on Nasai: 1/283, 2/28]
Allama Muhammad Tahir Patni Hanafi (d. 986H) states:
“The most correct opinion is that the two units before Maghrib are recommended, and this was the practice of the righteous predecessors.”
[Takmilat Majma' Bihar al-Anwar: 4/106]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) writes:
“This Hadith refutes the claim of Qadi Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi: No one after the Companions performed these two units because Abu Tamim was a Tabi'i (successor), and he performed these units.”
[Fath al-Bari: 2/60]
“Did the Prophet (ﷺ) pray them?” Anas (رضي الله عنه) replied:“He saw us praying them but neither ordered us nor forbade us.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1/278, Hadith: 836]
“I prayed the two units before Maghrib during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).”
[Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/189, Hadith: 1282, and its chain is authentic]
“When the caller to prayer gave the Adhan, some of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) would rush to the pillars (of the mosque) and perform the two units before Maghrib until the Prophet (ﷺ) came out while they were doing so. There was not much time between the Adhan and Iqama.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 1/87, Hadith: 625, Sahih Muslim: 1/287, Hadith: 837]
Sahih Muslim mentions:
“So many people prayed that an outsider entering the mosque would think that the Maghrib prayer had already been performed because of their large number.”
“Ubayy bin Ka'b and Abdur Rahman bin Awf (رضي الله عنهما) used to pray two units before Maghrib.”
[Sharh Mushkil al-Athar by Tahawi: 14/121, and its chain is Hasan]
“I invited a companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) to my house, and when the caller called for Maghrib, he prayed two units. I asked him about it, and he said: Ubayy bin Ka'b (رضي الله عنه) used to pray them.”
[Musnad Musaddad referenced in al-Matalib al-Aliyah by Ibn Hajar: 621, and its chain is authentic]
“They are excellent and good for the one who intends them for Allah's pleasure.”
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2/356, and its chain is authentic]
“I saw Ibn Abi Layla performing two units before Maghrib.”
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2/355, and its chain is authentic]
“Ahmad and Ishaq said: If one prays these two units, it is good. In their opinion, they are recommended.”
[Jami Tirmidhi under Hadith: 185]
Dear readers! These authentic Hadiths and narrations prove the recommendation of performing two units of prayer before Maghrib. One should act upon them in imitation of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Allah the Almighty says:
"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it."
[Al-Hashr: 7]
Those who prevent this beautiful Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) should fear Allah and begin practicing it from today. Following the Sunnah is the true sign of love for the Messenger (ﷺ).
In the next section, we will briefly present the scholarly and research-based review of the arguments made by those who do not believe in the recommendation of these two units and merely follow their Imam's "unverified" and "weak" opinions against these authentic Hadiths and narrations.
“I have not seen anyone during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performing them, and he permitted the two units after Asr.”
[Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1284, Musnad Abdul ibn Humayd: Q 105, Hadith: 804 (summary), Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi: 2/476, and its chain is Hasan]
Commentary:
This Hadith indicates that Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) did not see anyone performing the two units before Maghrib. However, other companions such as Anas (رضي الله عنه) did observe this practice. In cases of conflict between a positive and a negative report, the positive one is preferred because it provides a clear evidence of the act being performed.
Imam Bayhaqi (رحمه الله) states after mentioning Ibn Umar’s (رضي الله عنهما) statement:
"In such cases, the statement of the one who observed the act is accepted over the one who did not."
[Al-Bayhaqi]
Note:
It is worth mentioning that some people omit the latter part of this narration where Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) allowed the two units after Asr, which is a severe breach of trust and alteration of the religion.
Benefit:
Qatadah (رحمه الله) narrated that he asked Imam Sa'id bin Musayyib (رحمه الله) about Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) performing two units before Maghrib, and he said:
“He used to prohibit them. I have not seen any companion other than Sa'd bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) performing them.”
[Mushkil al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 14/122]
This chain is weak because its narrator Harun bin Kamil is not authenticated. Ibn Yunus al-Misri mentioned him in his history without authentication.
“Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (رضي الله عنهم) did not perform the two units before Maghrib.”
[Musannaf Abdur-Razzaq: 2/435, Hadith: 3985]
Commentary:
This narration is weak for several reasons:
In Al-Matalib al-Aliyah by Ibn Hajar (623), it is mentioned:
“Musaddad said: Yahya narrated to us from Sufyan, who said: Mansur narrated to me from his father...”
The details of Mansur’s father are not found, making the chain invalid.
“The Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما) did not perform it.”
[Kitab al-Athar by Imam Abu Hanifa narrated by Muhammad: 32]
Commentary:
This is a fabricated (mawdu) narration. Its narrator Muhammad bin Hassan al-Shaybani is unanimously considered weak and a liar. Imam Abu Zur’ah and others criticized him.
Imam Yahya bin Ma'in said:
“Muhammad (bin Hassan al-Shaybani) is a Jahmi (from a deviant sect) and a liar.”
[Al-Du'afa by al-Aqili: 4/52, and its chain is authentic]
He also said:
“He is nothing.”
[Tareekh Ibn Ma'in: 177]
Furthermore, he declared Muhammad bin Hassan weak.
“People agreed to abandon these narrators, and their narrations are not used. Among them is Muhammad bin Hassan.”
[Al-Kamil by Ibn Adi: 6/174, and its chain is authentic]
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said:
“I do not narrate from him.”
[Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil: 7/27, and its chain is authentic]
Using such a narrator’s report against the beloved Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) does not serve Islam.
(b)Hammad bin Abi Sulayman suffered from memory problems in his later years. Imam Ibn Sa’d writes:
“He suffered from memory issues in his later years.”
[Tahdhib al-Tahdhib: 3/15]
Hafiz Haythami (رحمه الله) wrote:
“Only the narrations of Hammad’s earlier students are accepted: Shu’ba, Sufyan al-Thawri, and Dastuwai. Others narrated from him after his memory weakened.”
[Majma al-Zawaid: 1/119-120]
Imam Abu Hanifa was among those who heard from him after his memory declined, rendering this narration weak and rejected.
Imam Zayla’i Hanafi (d. 726H) also considered this narration as extremely disconnected (mu’dal).
[Nusb al-Rayah in Takhrij Ahadith al-Hidayah: 2/141]
“Have you seen the Prophet (ﷺ) performing the two units before Maghrib?” They replied: “No,” except that Umm Salamah said: “He performed them once with me, and I asked him about it. He said: ‘I forgot the two units before Asr, so I prayed them now.’”
[Musnad al-Shamiyin by Tabarani: 2/212, Hadith: 2110]
Commentary:
This narration is weak because one of its narrators, Isa bin Sinan al-Hanafi, is considered weak by the majority.
Hafiz al-Iraqi (765-806H) said:
“The majority have weakened him.”
[Al-Mughni 'an Hamal al-Asfar in al-Asfar: 2/208]
Hafiz Haythami wrote:
“The majority have weakened him.”
[Majma al-Zawaid: 1/36]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar declared him “weak in Hadith.”
[Taqreeb al-Tahdhib: 5295]
Another narrator, Yahya bin Abi Hajjaj, is also considered weak by Hafiz Ibn Hajar.
[Taqreeb: 7527]
“The Muhajirun did not perform the two units before Maghrib, but the Ansar did.”
[Narration by Ibn al-Musayyib]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to Imam al-Zuhri’s tadlis (obfuscation in narrating Hadith). The one claiming authenticity must specify hearing.
(b)The practice of the Ansar performing these two units clearly indicates their recommendation. The non-performance by the Muhajirun only negates its obligation, which we also agree with.
“There are two units of prayer between every two calls to prayer (Adhan and Iqama) except for Maghrib.”
[Sunan al-Daraqutni: 1/265, Hadith: 1028, Musnad al-Bazzar: 1/334]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to the narrator Hayyan bin Ubaydullah’s memory issues.
Imam al-Bukhari said:
“Salt mentioned his memory issue.”
[Lisan al-Mizan: 2/370, Tareekh al-Kabir: 3/58]
This Hadith is also among his memory-affected narrations. Imam al-Bayhaqi declared its chain and text faulty.
[Ma’rifat al-Sunan wa al-Athar by al-Bayhaqi: 4/9]
Hafiz Haythami said:
“Ibn Adi mentioned him and said he suffered from memory issues.”
[Majma al-Zawaid: 2/231]
Hafiz Ibn Mulaqqin declared the additional part “except for Maghrib prayer” as weak.
[Al-Badr al-Munir by Ibn Mulaqqin: 4/294]
(b)Abdullah bin Buraidah himself narrated the Prophet’s command regarding the two units before Maghrib.
[Sahih Bukhari: 1/157, Hadith: 1183]
He also performed this prayer.
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1287, Sahih Ibn Hibban: 1559, and its chain is authentic]
“Pray Maghrib at the time of breaking the fast and hasten before the stars appear.”
[Musnad Ahmad: 4/421]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to an unnamed narrator.
“I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: ‘Pray Maghrib when the sun sets, hasten it before the stars appear.’”
[Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir by Tabarani: 4/176]
Commentary:
These narrations command hastening the Maghrib prayer, but they do not negate the permissibility or recommendation of the two units before Maghrib.
The Adhan for Maghrib is called after sunset, which itself takes several minutes. If someone claims that this means not calling the Adhan at all, would that be justified?
The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded to hasten the Maghrib prayer and also to perform the two units before it, demonstrating it himself, and showing approval when his companions performed it. How much time does it take to perform two units of prayer? The Hadith means that one should not delay Maghrib until the stars appear. If the two units are prayed quickly, stars do not appear.
It is proven that the Prophet (ﷺ) recited short Surahs in Maghrib.
[Sunan Nasai: 2/176, Hadith: 984, 983, and its chain is Hasan, and also Surah Tur in Sahih Bukhari: 1/105, Hadith: 765, Sahih Muslim: 1/187, Hadith: 463]
Narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) recited Surah Al-A'raf in Maghrib, dividing it into two Rak'ahs.”
[Sunan Nasai: 1/154, Hadith: 991, and its chain is authentic]
Even with the recitation of Surah Tur and Surah Al-A'raf, the Maghrib prayer was not delayed as the Prophet (ﷺ) performed it on time. Do two units of prayer take more time than that?
Hafiz Nawawi (رحمه الله) writes:
“The preferred view is that it is recommended to perform these two units based on these authentic and clear Hadiths.”
[Sharh Sahih Muslim by Nawawi: 1/278]
He also writes:
“As for their claim that it leads to delaying Maghrib, this is an unfounded imagination against the Sunnah and is not considered. Moreover, the time taken is minimal, not causing any delay from the beginning time. Anyone claiming abrogation is making baseless claims as abrogation can only be asserted when we are unable to reconcile and know the history, which is not the case here.”
[Sharh Muslim by Nawawi: 1/278]
Also see [Al-Sa'aya by Abdul-Hay Lakhnawi al-Hanafi: 2/31]
Famous scholar Abdul-Hay Lakhnawi (1264-1304H) writes, quoting Hafiz Qastallani:
“The collection of Hadiths indicates that the two units before Maghrib should be performed lightly, similar to the two units before Fajr.”
[Al-Sa'aya: 2/29]
Allama Karami Hanafi also agrees on the recommendation of this prayer.
[Sharh al-Karami: 5/23]
Mawlana Mahmood Hassan Deobandi Asir Malta (d. 1339H) said:
“Yes! If one can perform the nafl without delay or if the congregation is delayed for some reason, then it is permissible.”
[Taqrirat Shaykh al-Hind: 2/244, 52]
Conclusion:
Two nafl units before Maghrib are recommended. There is no evidence of dislike for it. May Allah grant us love for the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). Ameen!
Performing two units of nafl (voluntary) prayer before the Maghrib prayer is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), established through his sayings, actions, and tacit approvals. The following authentic Hadiths provide evidence of this practice:
Sayings of the Prophet (ﷺ)
Evidence No. 1
Narrated by Abu Saeed Abdullah bin Mughaffal Mazni (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Pray before Maghrib prayer.” He said it twice, and then the third time he said, “For whoever wants to,” disliking that people might take it as a compulsory practice.
[Sahih Bukhari: 1183, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1281]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) writes:
“It is not to deny the recommendation of these two units because it is impossible that the Prophet (ﷺ) would command something that is not at least recommended. This Hadith is among the strongest evidence for their recommendation.”
[Fath al-Bari in Sharh Sahih Bukhari: 3/60]
Evidence No. 2
Narrated by Abdullah bin Mughaffal (رضي الله عنه) in Sunan Abi Dawood with a good chain of narration: The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Pray two units before Maghrib prayer.”
[Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1281, and its chain is Hasan]
Evidence No. 3
Narrated by Abdullah bin Mughaffal (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“There is a prayer between every two calls to prayer (i.e., Adhan and Iqama),” he repeated it three times, and the third time he said, “For whoever wants to.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 624, Sahih Muslim: 1/287, Hadith: 838, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1283, Sunan Tirmidhi: 1/45, Hadith: 185, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1/82, Hadith: 1162, Sunan Nasai: 2/28, Hadith: 682, Musnad Ahmad: 4/86]
The first call refers to the Adhan, and the second call refers to the Iqama. This third saying provides evidence for the permissibility of two units of prayer before Maghrib, as it includes no exceptions, allowing scholars to derive this ruling.
Evidence No. 4
Narrated by Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“There is no obligatory prayer except that there are two units before it.”
[Sunan Darqutni: 1/267, Hadith: 1034, and its chain is Hasan]
Imam Ibn Hibban declared this Hadith as "authentic." This Hadith also establishes the permissibility of two units before every obligatory prayer without exception.
Actions of the Prophet (ﷺ)
Evidence No. 5
Narrated by Abdullah Mazni (رضي الله عنه):“The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed two units before Maghrib.”
[Sahih Ibn Hibban: 1588, Qiyam al-Layl by Marwazi: 64, and its chain is authentic]
Regarding this narration, Allama Maqrizi (رحمه الله) states:
“This chain is authentic according to the criteria of Imam Muslim.”
[Ikhtisar Qiyam al-Layl by Maqrizi: 64]
Despite this, some ignorant people claim:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) probably did not pray any prayer before Maghrib.”
Tacit Approvals
Evidence No. 6
Murthad bin Abdullah Yazni (رحمه الله) said: I went to Uqba bin Amir Juhni (رضي الله عنه) and said: Does it not amaze you that Abu Tamim (رحمه الله) prays two units before Maghrib? Uqba replied:“We used to do this during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).” I asked, “What prevents you now?” He said, “Engagement in work.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 1/158, Hadith: 1184]
Allama Sindhi Hanafi (d. 1139H) writes:
“It is apparent that the two units before Maghrib are permissible, rather recommended, and I have not found any satisfactory answer from those who forbid it.”
[Hashiya Sindhi on Nasai: 1/283, 2/28]
Allama Muhammad Tahir Patni Hanafi (d. 986H) states:
“The most correct opinion is that the two units before Maghrib are recommended, and this was the practice of the righteous predecessors.”
[Takmilat Majma' Bihar al-Anwar: 4/106]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) writes:
“This Hadith refutes the claim of Qadi Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi: No one after the Companions performed these two units because Abu Tamim was a Tabi'i (successor), and he performed these units.”
[Fath al-Bari: 2/60]
Evidence No. 7
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه): We used to pray two units after sunset before Maghrib prayer during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).The narrator, Mukhtar bin Fulfal Tabi'i (رحمه الله), asked:“Did the Prophet (ﷺ) pray them?” Anas (رضي الله عنه) replied:“He saw us praying them but neither ordered us nor forbade us.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1/278, Hadith: 836]
Evidence No. 8
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه):“I prayed the two units before Maghrib during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).”
[Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/189, Hadith: 1282, and its chain is authentic]
Evidence No. 9
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه):“When the caller to prayer gave the Adhan, some of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) would rush to the pillars (of the mosque) and perform the two units before Maghrib until the Prophet (ﷺ) came out while they were doing so. There was not much time between the Adhan and Iqama.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 1/87, Hadith: 625, Sahih Muslim: 1/287, Hadith: 837]
Sahih Muslim mentions:
“So many people prayed that an outsider entering the mosque would think that the Maghrib prayer had already been performed because of their large number.”
Evidence No. 10
Narrated by Zarr bin Hubaysh:“Ubayy bin Ka'b and Abdur Rahman bin Awf (رضي الله عنهما) used to pray two units before Maghrib.”
[Sharh Mushkil al-Athar by Tahawi: 14/121, and its chain is Hasan]
Evidence No. 11
Abdullah bin Abi al-Hudhayl said:“I invited a companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) to my house, and when the caller called for Maghrib, he prayed two units. I asked him about it, and he said: Ubayy bin Ka'b (رضي الله عنه) used to pray them.”
[Musnad Musaddad referenced in al-Matalib al-Aliyah by Ibn Hajar: 621, and its chain is authentic]
Evidence No. 12
Imam Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله) was asked about the two units before Maghrib and he said:“They are excellent and good for the one who intends them for Allah's pleasure.”
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2/356, and its chain is authentic]
Evidence No. 13
Hakam bin Utaibah (رحمه الله) said:“I saw Ibn Abi Layla performing two units before Maghrib.”
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2/355, and its chain is authentic]
Evidence No. 14
Imam Tirmidhi (رحمه الله) said:“Ahmad and Ishaq said: If one prays these two units, it is good. In their opinion, they are recommended.”
[Jami Tirmidhi under Hadith: 185]
Dear readers! These authentic Hadiths and narrations prove the recommendation of performing two units of prayer before Maghrib. One should act upon them in imitation of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Allah the Almighty says:
"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it."
[Al-Hashr: 7]
Those who prevent this beautiful Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) should fear Allah and begin practicing it from today. Following the Sunnah is the true sign of love for the Messenger (ﷺ).
In the next section, we will briefly present the scholarly and research-based review of the arguments made by those who do not believe in the recommendation of these two units and merely follow their Imam's "unverified" and "weak" opinions against these authentic Hadiths and narrations.
Evidence No. 1
Tawus said: Ibn Umar was asked about the two units before Maghrib, and he replied:“I have not seen anyone during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performing them, and he permitted the two units after Asr.”
[Sunan Abi Dawood: 1/182, Hadith: 1284, Musnad Abdul ibn Humayd: Q 105, Hadith: 804 (summary), Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi: 2/476, and its chain is Hasan]
Commentary:
This Hadith indicates that Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) did not see anyone performing the two units before Maghrib. However, other companions such as Anas (رضي الله عنه) did observe this practice. In cases of conflict between a positive and a negative report, the positive one is preferred because it provides a clear evidence of the act being performed.
Imam Bayhaqi (رحمه الله) states after mentioning Ibn Umar’s (رضي الله عنهما) statement:
"In such cases, the statement of the one who observed the act is accepted over the one who did not."
[Al-Bayhaqi]
Note:
It is worth mentioning that some people omit the latter part of this narration where Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) allowed the two units after Asr, which is a severe breach of trust and alteration of the religion.
Benefit:
Qatadah (رحمه الله) narrated that he asked Imam Sa'id bin Musayyib (رحمه الله) about Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) performing two units before Maghrib, and he said:
“He used to prohibit them. I have not seen any companion other than Sa'd bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) performing them.”
[Mushkil al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 14/122]
This chain is weak because its narrator Harun bin Kamil is not authenticated. Ibn Yunus al-Misri mentioned him in his history without authentication.
Evidence No. 2
Abdur-Razzaq narrated from Thawri from Mansur from Ibrahim, who said:“Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (رضي الله عنهم) did not perform the two units before Maghrib.”
[Musannaf Abdur-Razzaq: 2/435, Hadith: 3985]
Commentary:
This narration is weak for several reasons:
- Imam Abdur-Razzaq bin Hammam is known for tadlis (obfuscation in narrating Hadith) and there is no clear statement of hearing.
- Imam Ibrahim al-Nakha’i was born after the martyrdom of Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) and after the martyrdom of Umar and Uthman (رضي الله عنهما), making this narration severely disconnected.
In Al-Matalib al-Aliyah by Ibn Hajar (623), it is mentioned:
“Musaddad said: Yahya narrated to us from Sufyan, who said: Mansur narrated to me from his father...”
The details of Mansur’s father are not found, making the chain invalid.
Evidence No. 3
Hammad narrated: I asked Ibrahim about the prayer before Maghrib, and he forbade it, saying:“The Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما) did not perform it.”
[Kitab al-Athar by Imam Abu Hanifa narrated by Muhammad: 32]
Commentary:
This is a fabricated (mawdu) narration. Its narrator Muhammad bin Hassan al-Shaybani is unanimously considered weak and a liar. Imam Abu Zur’ah and others criticized him.
Imam Yahya bin Ma'in said:
“Muhammad (bin Hassan al-Shaybani) is a Jahmi (from a deviant sect) and a liar.”
[Al-Du'afa by al-Aqili: 4/52, and its chain is authentic]
He also said:
“He is nothing.”
[Tareekh Ibn Ma'in: 177]
Furthermore, he declared Muhammad bin Hassan weak.
“People agreed to abandon these narrators, and their narrations are not used. Among them is Muhammad bin Hassan.”
[Al-Kamil by Ibn Adi: 6/174, and its chain is authentic]
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said:
“I do not narrate from him.”
[Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil: 7/27, and its chain is authentic]
Using such a narrator’s report against the beloved Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) does not serve Islam.
(b)Hammad bin Abi Sulayman suffered from memory problems in his later years. Imam Ibn Sa’d writes:
“He suffered from memory issues in his later years.”
[Tahdhib al-Tahdhib: 3/15]
Hafiz Haythami (رحمه الله) wrote:
“Only the narrations of Hammad’s earlier students are accepted: Shu’ba, Sufyan al-Thawri, and Dastuwai. Others narrated from him after his memory weakened.”
[Majma al-Zawaid: 1/119-120]
Imam Abu Hanifa was among those who heard from him after his memory declined, rendering this narration weak and rejected.
Imam Zayla’i Hanafi (d. 726H) also considered this narration as extremely disconnected (mu’dal).
[Nusb al-Rayah in Takhrij Ahadith al-Hidayah: 2/141]
Evidence No. 4
Tabarani narrated: Yahya bin Sa'id narrated to us, Muhammad bin Mansur al-Makki narrated to us, Yahya bin Abi Hajjaj narrated to us, Isa bin Sinan narrated from Raja’ bin Haywa from Jabir, who said: We asked the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ):“Have you seen the Prophet (ﷺ) performing the two units before Maghrib?” They replied: “No,” except that Umm Salamah said: “He performed them once with me, and I asked him about it. He said: ‘I forgot the two units before Asr, so I prayed them now.’”
[Musnad al-Shamiyin by Tabarani: 2/212, Hadith: 2110]
Commentary:
This narration is weak because one of its narrators, Isa bin Sinan al-Hanafi, is considered weak by the majority.
Hafiz al-Iraqi (765-806H) said:
“The majority have weakened him.”
[Al-Mughni 'an Hamal al-Asfar in al-Asfar: 2/208]
Hafiz Haythami wrote:
“The majority have weakened him.”
[Majma al-Zawaid: 1/36]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar declared him “weak in Hadith.”
[Taqreeb al-Tahdhib: 5295]
Another narrator, Yahya bin Abi Hajjaj, is also considered weak by Hafiz Ibn Hajar.
[Taqreeb: 7527]
Evidence No. 5
Narrated by Ibn al-Musayyib:“The Muhajirun did not perform the two units before Maghrib, but the Ansar did.”
[Narration by Ibn al-Musayyib]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to Imam al-Zuhri’s tadlis (obfuscation in narrating Hadith). The one claiming authenticity must specify hearing.
(b)The practice of the Ansar performing these two units clearly indicates their recommendation. The non-performance by the Muhajirun only negates its obligation, which we also agree with.
Evidence No. 6
Narrated by Abdullah bin Buraidah from his father, who said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“There are two units of prayer between every two calls to prayer (Adhan and Iqama) except for Maghrib.”
[Sunan al-Daraqutni: 1/265, Hadith: 1028, Musnad al-Bazzar: 1/334]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to the narrator Hayyan bin Ubaydullah’s memory issues.
Imam al-Bukhari said:
“Salt mentioned his memory issue.”
[Lisan al-Mizan: 2/370, Tareekh al-Kabir: 3/58]
This Hadith is also among his memory-affected narrations. Imam al-Bayhaqi declared its chain and text faulty.
[Ma’rifat al-Sunan wa al-Athar by al-Bayhaqi: 4/9]
Hafiz Haythami said:
“Ibn Adi mentioned him and said he suffered from memory issues.”
[Majma al-Zawaid: 2/231]
Hafiz Ibn Mulaqqin declared the additional part “except for Maghrib prayer” as weak.
[Al-Badr al-Munir by Ibn Mulaqqin: 4/294]
(b)Abdullah bin Buraidah himself narrated the Prophet’s command regarding the two units before Maghrib.
[Sahih Bukhari: 1/157, Hadith: 1183]
He also performed this prayer.
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1287, Sahih Ibn Hibban: 1559, and its chain is authentic]
Evidence No. 7
Narrated by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Pray Maghrib at the time of breaking the fast and hasten before the stars appear.”
[Musnad Ahmad: 4/421]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to an unnamed narrator.
Evidence No. 8
Narrated by Abu Ayyub (رضي الله عنه), who said:“I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: ‘Pray Maghrib when the sun sets, hasten it before the stars appear.’”
[Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir by Tabarani: 4/176]
Commentary:
These narrations command hastening the Maghrib prayer, but they do not negate the permissibility or recommendation of the two units before Maghrib.
The Adhan for Maghrib is called after sunset, which itself takes several minutes. If someone claims that this means not calling the Adhan at all, would that be justified?
The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded to hasten the Maghrib prayer and also to perform the two units before it, demonstrating it himself, and showing approval when his companions performed it. How much time does it take to perform two units of prayer? The Hadith means that one should not delay Maghrib until the stars appear. If the two units are prayed quickly, stars do not appear.
It is proven that the Prophet (ﷺ) recited short Surahs in Maghrib.
[Sunan Nasai: 2/176, Hadith: 984, 983, and its chain is Hasan, and also Surah Tur in Sahih Bukhari: 1/105, Hadith: 765, Sahih Muslim: 1/187, Hadith: 463]
Narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) recited Surah Al-A'raf in Maghrib, dividing it into two Rak'ahs.”
[Sunan Nasai: 1/154, Hadith: 991, and its chain is authentic]
Even with the recitation of Surah Tur and Surah Al-A'raf, the Maghrib prayer was not delayed as the Prophet (ﷺ) performed it on time. Do two units of prayer take more time than that?
Hafiz Nawawi (رحمه الله) writes:
“The preferred view is that it is recommended to perform these two units based on these authentic and clear Hadiths.”
[Sharh Sahih Muslim by Nawawi: 1/278]
He also writes:
“As for their claim that it leads to delaying Maghrib, this is an unfounded imagination against the Sunnah and is not considered. Moreover, the time taken is minimal, not causing any delay from the beginning time. Anyone claiming abrogation is making baseless claims as abrogation can only be asserted when we are unable to reconcile and know the history, which is not the case here.”
[Sharh Muslim by Nawawi: 1/278]
Also see [Al-Sa'aya by Abdul-Hay Lakhnawi al-Hanafi: 2/31]
Famous scholar Abdul-Hay Lakhnawi (1264-1304H) writes, quoting Hafiz Qastallani:
“The collection of Hadiths indicates that the two units before Maghrib should be performed lightly, similar to the two units before Fajr.”
[Al-Sa'aya: 2/29]
Allama Karami Hanafi also agrees on the recommendation of this prayer.
[Sharh al-Karami: 5/23]
Mawlana Mahmood Hassan Deobandi Asir Malta (d. 1339H) said:
“Yes! If one can perform the nafl without delay or if the congregation is delayed for some reason, then it is permissible.”
[Taqrirat Shaykh al-Hind: 2/244, 52]
Conclusion:
Two nafl units before Maghrib are recommended. There is no evidence of dislike for it. May Allah grant us love for the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). Ameen!