in the first two Rak‘ahs equals that needed to recite “Alif, L?m, M?m. Tanz?lul Kitabi”. (1)
Ab? Sa‘?d Al-Khudri ( - رضي الله عنه -) described the length of Thuhr Sal?t, the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) used to perform, that if one went to Baq?’ and responded to the call of nature, come back home, perform Wud?’, then back again to the mosque, he would find that the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) is still in the first Rak‘ah. (2)
As for the length of ‘Asr Sal?t, it is nearly half of that of Thuhr Sal?t. (3) In Maghrib Sal?t, he ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) used to recite long S?rahs from the Mufassal such as: At-T?r (4) , Muhammad (5) , Al-MurSal?t (6) , Al-Anf?l (7) and Al-A‘r?f. (8)
[13/ 40] According to what has been mentioned, it is not of Sunnah to always recite the short S?rahs in the Maghrib Sal?t claiming that its time is too short. The soundest of all the ‘Ulamahs’ opinions is that the Maghrib time extends till the twilight sets. The Sahfi‘? followers held an opposite opinion
-following the opinion of Im?m Ash-Sh?fi‘? in his latest Mathhab- they believe that the Maghrib time is only enough for one to do Wud?’, cover one’s private parts and then recite ‘Ath?n followed by Iq?mah!! Regarding this, An-Nawaw? said: ‘The apparent
(1) See: “Sah?h Muslim” (vol. 4 / p. 172). This narration clearly states that he ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) used to recite about 15 ?yahs in the last two Rak‘ahs; a Sunnah that has unfortunately been deserted by many. To All?h ( - عز وجل -) we do complain.
(2) “Sah?h Muslim” (vol. 4 / pp. 173 - 6).
(3) For more details, see the treatise “Man Amma Fal Yukhaffif” (pp. 28 - 30).
(4) It consists of (49) ?yahs. The narration is narrated by Al-Bukh?r? in his “Sah?h” (vol. 2 / p. 247) and Muslim in his “Sah?h” (vol. 4 / p. 180).
(5) It consists of (38) ?yahs. The narration is narrated by At-Tabar?n? in “Al-Mu‘jam As-Sagh?r” (vol. 1 / p. 45) through an authentic chain of narration. See: “Al-Majma‘ by Al-Haitham?” (vol. 2 / p. 118).
(6) It consists of (50) ?yahs. The narration is narrated by: Al-Bukh?r? in his “Sah?h” (vol. 2 / p. 246) and Muslim in his “Sah?h” (vol. 4 / p. 180). In my book “Man W?faqat Kunyatuhu Kunyata Zawjihi Minas Sah?bah, the had?th’s chains of narration are documented in details.
(7) It consists of (75) ?yahs. The narration is narrated by “At-Tabar?n?” in his “Al-Majm?‘ Al-Kab?r” (vol. 5 / p. 137).
(8) It consists of (206) ?yahs. The narration is narrated by Al-Bukh?r? in his “Sah?h” (vol. 2 / p. 246) and An-Nas?’? in “Al-Mujtab?” (vol. 2 / p. 170).