Is it considered an innovation (bid‘ah) to remain standing in the mosque a short while before the Maghrib Adhan, without praying two rak‘ahs or sitting down, under the pretext that there is a difference of opinion among scholars on the matter, and in order to avoid contravening any view?

It is not prescribed for a Muslim to perform تحية المسجد (two rak'ahs upon entering the mosque) when entering the mosque before Maghrib, according to the majority of jurists, because this is a time when prayer is forbidden. This is contrary to the view of Imam Al-Shafi'i, who permitted performing prayers that have a reason during times of prohibition, and this is the more apparent view. What indicates the more apparent view is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When any one of you enters the mosque, he should not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." And because it is a prayer with a reason. Some scholars have held the view that if a Muslim enters the mosque during times of prohibition, he should neither pray nor sit down, in order to avoid disagreement. One should be cautious about praying during the three times mentioned in the hadith (definition) of Uqbah ibn Amir, which are: when the sun rises until it has risen high, when the sun is at its zenith until it declines, and when the sun inclines towards setting until it sets. During these times, it is strongly emphasized to refrain from voluntary prayers absolutely. As for the broader times of prohibition—after the Fajr prayer and after the Asr prayer—the matter is wider.