Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
It is permissible to pray two rakʿahs before Maghrib. Some scholars, such as the Shafiʿi school, consider it a Sunnah, while others view it as optional but not emphasized due to the short time before the Maghrib prayer. Authentic hadith report that some companions prayed these two rakʿahs, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) approved the practice but clarified it was voluntary.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
There is a brief period between the Adhan and the Iqamah when voluntary prayers are often performed, and scholars generally agree on many of these prayers. The Sunnah before Fajr, the Sunnahs associated with Ẓuhr, and—according to some schools—the prayers before `Asr and ʿIshaʾ are well established and strongly recommended.
However, the prayer before Maghrib has been treated differently by scholars.
The Shafiʿi school considers two Rak`ahs before Maghrib to be a Sunnah. In contrast, the Hanafi and Maliki schools generally discourage it, primarily because of the limited time available for Maghrib and a desire to avoid delaying the congregational prayer. The Hanbali school permits the prayer but does not regard it as an established Sunnah.
Proponents of praying before Maghrib cite authentic reports. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) recounted that the Companions used to pray two Rak`ahs after sunset and before Maghrib during the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) lifetime. The Prophet witnessed this practice and did not prohibit it.
Anas also noted that when the call to Maghrib was announced in Madinah, many Companions prayed these two Rak`ahs so frequently that newcomers might mistakenly believe the congregational prayer had already concluded.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) famously said, “Pray before Maghrib,” repeating it three times and added, “for whoever wishes,” which clarifies that it is not obligatory.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal accepted the reports’ authenticity but often refrained from practicing the prayer himself, to avoid causing confusion or discomfort among people. This shows that individuals can choose to follow different scholarly opinions without feeling pressured or uncertain.
Later scholars outlined that the confirmed Sunnahs total ten Rak`ahs: two before Fajr, two before and after Ẓuhr, two after Maghrib, and two after ʿIshaʾ. These are prayers that Muslims are encouraged to perform regularly. If someone prays before Maghrib, they can do so with confidence, knowing it aligns with scholarly views, and it can also serve as a greeting to the mosque.
This difference is valid within scholarly views. Individuals can follow what they find most convincing, respecting their local congregation. Voluntary prayers should promote ease and unity, helping worshippers feel connected and understanding of each other’s choices.
- 4 Rakah-Sunnah Before Isha: Bid`ah or Sunnah?
- Are Multiple Intentions Permitted in Voluntary Prayers?
- Can We Pray Sunnah After Fajr?
- Any Sunnah Before Asr?
- Can You Make Up Missed Sunnah Prayers?
Almighty Allah knows best.
Source: AsktheScholar.com