What is the ruling on praying two supererogatory rak'ahs between the adhan and iqamah of Maghrib prayer, and did the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, do it, and what is the evidence for its permissibility or impermissibility, and are the hadiths reported concerning that abrogated?

Scholars have differed on the ruling regarding praying two rak'ahs between the Maghrib adhan and iqamah, holding three opinions:

1. Recommendation (Istihbab): This is the view of the Shafi'is and Ibn Hazm, who cite prophetic hadiths, among them: "Pray before the Maghrib prayer... for whoever wishes," and the practice of the great Companions. This is also the view of Imam Ahmad, the fatwa of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta', and the most preponderant opinion among the majority of scholars.

2. Lack of Legislation/Dislike (Karahah): This is the view of the Hanafis and Malikis, who cite that Ibn Umar did not see anyone performing them during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and that Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman did not pray them, and that the Prophet (peace be upon him) only prayed them once as a make-up for the sunnah of Asr.

3. Permissibility (Jawaz): This is the relied-upon opinion of the Hanbalis, who cite the hadith of Anas: "He (the Prophet) used to see us praying them, and he neither commanded us nor forbade us."

The most preponderant opinion is the recommendation of praying two rak'ahs between the Maghrib adhan and its iqamah, due to the strength, clarity, and abundance of the evidence presented by those who hold the view of recommendation.