What is the prescribed ruling concerning the timing of the Maghrib prayer?
Chapter on Prayer Times
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
There is scholarly consensus that the time for Maghrib enters upon the setting of the sun. The end of its time is the disappearance of the twilight (Shafaq). This is supported by the narration from Buraydah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed Maghrib on the second day when the twilight disappeared, and by the statement of Ibn 'Amr that the time for Maghrib is until the twilight disappears. These authentic texts must be followed over ambiguous interpretations.
Supporting text
Some scholars, including Malik, Al-Awza'i, and Al-Shafi'i, hold that Maghrib has only one time, corresponding to sunset, based on Jibreel's demonstration and the hadith concerning delaying it until the stars interlace. This view implies that any delay beyond the initial time is merely discouraged or preferential, not that the later time is invalid.