His statement, “even that which has no particular cause,” alludes to the difference of opinion on this issue. Although the disagreement is substantial, some later scholars mentioned that when they say, “even if it is such-and-such,” the disagreement is strong; when they say, “even if such-and-such is the case,” the disagreement is lesser; and when they say, “even,” the disagreement is weak.

However, the disagreement in this matter is very strong—not because of the evidence, nor because of the number of those who hold the opposing view.

Question: If a man performs ablution after the afternoon prayer, should he pray the sunnah prayer of ablution, or should he not pray?

Answer: If he performed ablution in order to pray, then it is not permissible for him to pray, because he deliberately intended to pray during a prohibited time.

But if he performed ablution for purification, then, according to the correct view, he should pray. As for the view of those who maintain that no voluntary prayers may be offered except those they have specifically exempted, then it is not permissible.

Question: Suppose a man goes early to the mosque for the Maghrib prayer on Friday, near the end of the day, in order to pray the mosque-greeting prayer so that he may be included in the hadith: “On Friday there is an hour in which no Muslim servant, while standing in prayer, asks Allah for anything but that He grants it to him” (1). Should we say that this is unlawful, or should we say that it is permissible?

Answer: If he goes to the mosque in order to pray, then this is unlawful, just as we said regarding one who performs ablution in order to pray. But if he goes to the mosque in order to arrive early for the Maghrib prayer, then, upon entering, he prays two rak‘ahs because he entered the mosque,