What time does Maghrib end?

by Asma bint Shameem

The time for Maghrib lasts all the way until the time for Ishaa begins.

Yes that’s right.

Although it is recommended to pray maghrib at its earliest times and delaying it for too long is not preferred, the “official” time for maghrib lasts until the adhaan of Ishaa.

That is when the red afterglow disappears from the sky, which is the beginning of the time for ‘Ishaa.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“My Ummah will not cease to be upon the fitrah as long as they don’t delay Maghrib until the intricate patterns of the stars become visible”

(Abu Dawood 444 and others; authenticated by al-Albaani )

🍃 Shaykh ibn Baaz said:

“…What is preferable is that (the time between the adhaan and the Iqaamah) isn’t prolonged.

Rather, he should do the Iqaamah shortly after; shortly after the adhaan (for maghrib) by eight minutes or ten minutes or around that time period.

And if he were to delay it for a half an hour or more before the disappearance of the red evening twilight, then it is okay (and) the prayer is valid; it is all from the time of maghrib.

However, what is preferable for the masaajid and for the Muslims praying at home from the sick and the women is for all of them to pray at its earliest time, (This is) in order that they take the Prophet ﷺ as their example.”

(Fataawaa ibn Baaz)

🍃 And Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibraheem Aali Shaykh said:

“…As for maghrib, then it shouldn’t be delayed for more than ten minutes (after the adhaan) due to what has come of proofs indicating that it should be prayed at its earliest time…”

🔺But in case there’s a delay for some reason and you’re unable to pray maghrib right away, then we should know the time of Maghrib lasts up until Ishaa.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The time of Dhuhr is so long as the time for ‘Asr has not begun, and the time for ‘Asr is so long as the sun has not begun to turn yellow, and the time for Maghrib is so long as the afterglow has not faded, and the time for ‘Ishaa’ is until midnight, and the time for Fajr is so long as the sun has not yet risen.” 

(Saheeh Muslim 217)

🍃 And Ibn Abbas radhi Allaahu anhumaa said that the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Jibreel led me in Salaah twice near Bayt Allaah. 

The first time, we offered the Salaah of Dhuhr when the shadow was like the thong of a shoe. 

Then, we offered Asr when the shadow of everything was equal to it, and maghrib after sunset when the fasting man takes iftaar (breaks his fast), and Ishaa when the twilight disappeared, and fajr when one who fasts is forbidden food and drink. 

The second time, we offered Dhuhr when the shadow of everything was like it in length at the time of Asr on the previous day. 

Then we offered the Asr when the shadow of everything was twice as long. 

We prayed Maghrib at the same time as the previous day; we prayed Isha when one-third of the night was over and Fajr when the earth was well-lit. 

Then Jibreel turned to me and said; 

"0 Muhammad! 

This was the time observed by Prophets before you, and the time (of five Salaah) is between these two times."

[Ahmed 3081, Abu Dawud 393; saheeh by al-Albaani) 

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said explaining the time when Maghrib ends:

“The Prophet ﷺ said: “The time for Maghrib lasts until the twilight has faded.” 

i.e., the time for Maghrib starts immediately after the time for ‘Asr ends, which is when the sun sets, until the twilight or red afterglow has faded. 

When the red afterglow has disappeared from the sky, the time for Maghrib ends and the time for ‘Ishaa’ begins.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The time for ‘Ishaa’ lasts until midnight.”  

So the time for ‘Ishaa’ begins immediately after the time for Maghrib ends (i.e., when the red afterglow disappears from the sky) until midnight.”

(al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 2/107)

So if for some reason, your maghrib is delayed, and you’re not able to offer it right after sunset, no worries.

Go ahead and pray it. Your prayer is still valid as long as you offer it before the time for ishaa begins.

And Allaah knows best.