The ruling on praying six rak'ahs after the Maghrib prayer

Question:
The questioner says: There are people who pray six rak'ahs after the sunnah of Maghrib, in pairs of two, saying the taslim after every two. They claim that this is the prayer of the repentant (Salat al-Awabin). What is the ruling on this?

Answer:
This has no basis. The prayer of the returners (al-Awabin) is the Dhuha prayer, when the Dhuha becomes intense; this is the prayer of the returners, as stated in the authentic hadith. As for between Maghrib and 'Isha, it is recommended for a person to pray whatever is easy for him, but the six that people think exist have no basis. The regular voluntary prayer (rawatib) is two; it is the Sunnah to pray two after Maghrib, and it is better to do so in one's home. This is called the rawatib. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to be consistent in performing it. Likewise, after 'Isha, it is two rak'ahs; one prays two rak'ahs after 'Isha.
As for praying six after Maghrib, or more; there is no harm. One may pray six, or ten, or twenty, or a hundred; there is no blame. One should say the closing salam after every two rak'ahs, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever volunteers between Maghrib and 'Isha, and prays six, or eight, or ten, or more, there is no harm. However, believing that there is a specific set of six is not supported by authentic evidence.