Hadith Evidence
Narration from Sahih Muslim:
“In the last two Rak‘ahs, he (ﷺ) would recite only Surah Al-Fatihah.”
[Sahih Muslim: 451]
Key Rulings & Benefits
In the last two Rak‘ahs of a four-Rak‘ah Salah (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha), only Surah Al-Fatihah should be recited.
Similarly, in the third Rak‘ah of Maghrib, only Surah Al-Fatihah is recited.
If someone recites an additional Surah in these Rak‘ahs, there is no sin, but it is against the Sunnah practice.
📖 This ruling is derived from the book “Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Ilmam bi-Ahadith al-Ahkam” by Shaykh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.
Conclusion
The Sunnah practice is to recite only Surah Al-Fatihah in the last two Rak‘ahs of four-Rak‘ah Salah and the third Rak‘ah of Maghrib.
Adding another Surah is not sinful but is not the preferred Sunnah.
