We have cited in the previous chapters a Hadīth by Ibn ‘Umar and another by ‘Ā’ishah, both of which are authentic. They report that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer two Rak‘ahs after the Maghrib prayer.
1122/1 - ‘Abdullāh ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Pray it before the Maghrib prayer.” In the third time, he said: “for whoever wills.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1123/2 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I saw senior Companions of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) rushing to the pillars (of the mosque to perform two Rak‘ahs behind them) before the Maghrib prayer.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1124/3 - He also reported: “During the Prophet’s lifetime, we used to offer two Rak‘ahs after sunset before the Maghrib prayer.” He was asked: “Did the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) offer them?” He said: “He would see us offering them, but he would not command or prohibit us.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1125/4 - He also reported: “When we were in Madīnah, the moment the Muezzin finished the Adhān of the Maghrib prayer, the people would hasten to the pillars of the mosque and perform two Rak‘ahs 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.” [Narrated by Muslim]
--
1) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to perform the supererogatory Rak‘ahs associated with the Maghrib prayer.
2) The supererogatory Rak‘ahs before the Maghrib are Sunnah, but they are not confirmed like the Sunnah after Maghrib.