Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 201
Sunnah of the Maghrib Prayer
[In the previous chapter, the practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has been reported by `Umar and `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with them) that he (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two Rak`ah Sunnah after the obligatory Maghrib prayer].
1122. `Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perform two Rak`ah before Maghrib prayer.” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) repeated it twice; when repeating it for the third time he added: “He who may so wish.”
[Al-Bukhari].
1123. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw the principal Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) rushing to the pillars (of the mosque) to perform two Rak`ah prayers behind them before the Maghrib prayer.
[Al-Bukhari].
1124. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: In the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), we used to perform two Rak`ah (optional prayer) after sunset before the Maghrib prayer. It was asked: “Did Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) perform them?” He replied: “He saw us performing it, but he neither ordered us to perform them nor did he forbid us from doing so.”
[Muslim].
1125. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we were in Al-Madinah, the moment the Mu’adhdhin finished the Adhan of the Maghrib prayer, the people hastened to the pillars of the mosque and performed two Rak`ah prayer behind them. A stranger coming into the mosque would think that the obligatory prayer had already been performed because of the number of people performing them.
[Muslim].
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