2 rakat before Maghrib fard

So recently I saw few folks in local masjid would pray 2 rakat after Maghrib Adhan, before Fard. Never seen that before.
Did google it and found that its some maliki (not all) and mostly gher-muqalid brothers who do it, based on a hadith in which Prophet SAW prescribed it twice and the third time He said the one who wishes (which makes it desireable but not moakkadah).

But the counter argument is that non of the Khulafa Rashideen nor ashara mubashirrah practiced it. Reason is that this hadith is from the time before it was recommended to pray Maghrib fard right after Adhan without any delay. There used to be a short period between Adhan and Aqamah in Maghrib Salat, just like other salat, but it had changed later and Prophet SAW reportedly read Maghrib Fard immediately after Adhan.

I am not provoking any argument here between madhahib, but want to verify if this is infact the reason Ahnaaf don’t pray 2 rakat before Maghrib and even some say its makrooh to pray between Asar and Maghrib Faraaid.

Similarly, it is common knowledge and practice ( I may be limited to my observation) in Indo-Pak to not pray after Fajr Fard, until Sun is clearly above the horizon, some 30 minutes from Fajr. Some people pray regardless if its time for sunrise. Is this another of Indo-Pak special?

Re: 2 rakat before Maghrib fard

i’ve seen Arabs do it but Hanafi’s don’t. there is no prayer between asr N mAGhrib, at sunrise N sunset and at zawaal times.

Re: 2 rakat before Maghrib fard

This is neither fard nor sunnat moaqiddah. Some one asked me to pray this sunnat as well but I just ignored it as I have never heard of it.

Re: 2 rakat before Maghrib fard

Good observation smooth_guy

I think it’s interpretation of “no prayer before Maghrib” … Hanafis take it to mean Maghrib prayer and Hanbalis take it to mean Maghrib Azaan.

This is a fairly comfortable difference of opinion without much of a problem either way I think.

Re: 2 rakat before Maghrib fard

They may be performing one of two possible nafl prayers I can think of:

A. Tahhayyatul-Masjid sunnah which are offered when you enter the Masjid. They choose to do it after Maghrib adhaan because the time between Asr and Maghrib is forbidden/disliked to perform any nawafil. Just my limited understanding.

B. Tahhayyatul Wudu

Allah knows best.

Re: 2 rakat before Maghrib fard

yes, it’s Tahayyatul masjid…i once asked an Arab in one of the masjaajid in Ottawa and he told me it was Tahayyat ul masjid.