Marthad bin Abdullah al-Yazani narrates that Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) came to us as a warrior on campaign, while Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) was the governor of Egypt. He delayed the Maghrib prayer, so Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up towards him and said: "O Uqbah, what kind of prayer is this?" He said: "We were kept busy." Abu Ayyub said: "By Allah, my only worry is that people may think you saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) doing it this way, whereas I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'My Ummah will remain upon good (or upon the fitrah) as long as they do not delay the Maghrib prayer until the stars become interlaced.'" This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna al-Abbas bin Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The affair of my Ummah will remain upon the fitrah as long as they do not delay the Maghrib prayer until the stars shine out."