that he approved of the Companions (1) praying them. He would see them praying these two rak‘ahs, yet neither commanded nor forbade them. In the two Sahīh collections (2), ‘Abdullāh al-Muzanī reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Pray before the sunset prayer.” The third time, he added, “For whoever wishes,” lest people take it as an established Sunnah practice. This is the correct view concerning these two rak‘ahs: they are recommended (3) and encouraged, but are not (4) a regular Sunnah practice like the other regular Sunnah prayers.
He would perform most Sunnah prayers and voluntary prayers not occasioned by a specific cause at home, particularly the Sunnah prayer after sunset, for it has never been reported that he performed it in the mosque. Imam Ahmad said, as narrated by Hanbal (5): “The Sunnah is for a man to pray the two rak‘ahs after the sunset prayer at home. This is what has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. Al-Sā’ib ibn Yazīd (6) said: ‘I saw the people during the time of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb: when they finished the sunset prayer, they would all leave, until no one remained in the mosque. It was as though (7) they would not pray after the sunset prayer until they returned to their families.’” End of quotation.
If someone prays these two rak‘ahs in the mosque, does that suffice for him and fulfil their intended purpose?