Question

Is there any sound Hadith about making two rak’ats before the fard of Maghrib?

What is the correct meaning of this Hadith?

 

Answer

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Al-Muzani (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“You may offer salah before Maghrib, you may offer salah before Maghrib” and on the third time he added: “for those who wish”.

The Sahabi says: He did so because he didn’t like that the people consider it a constant practice (sunnah).

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1183)

The above Hadith merely states the permissibility of offering salah after the adhan of Maghrib (before the fard).

This is to show that the forbidden (makruh) time for nafl salah which commences after praying the ‘Asr terminates with the adhan of Maghrib.

These 2 rak’ats have not been classified as “sunnah” like the other sunnah salats before/after the fard salats. This is because the senior Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) never considered it as such.

(‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 1183-1184)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar