QA-ID-0048
QUESTION
What is the ruling on 2 rakat of nafl when entering the masjid. Is it a Sunnah Muakkadah? I do not see that it is a common practice among Sunni mosques today.
ANSWER
﷽
Performing two rak’āt upon entering the masjid is known as tahiyyatul masjid. It is a non-emphasised sunnah. If one performs any prayer (sunnah, fard, nafl) in the masjid after entering, it suffices for tahiyyatul masjid, and is it not required to offer an additional two rak’āt specifically for that purpose. However, if a person enters for another reason aside from prayer, they should pray two rak’āt before sitting as long as it is not a disliked (makrūh) time (Radd al-Muhtār 2/18).
إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يجلس
“When one of you enters the masjid, he should pray two rak’āts before sitting” (Bukhārī & Muslim).
During times when voluntary prayers are disliked, one should engage in tasbīh and recite salāt and salām upon RasūlAllāh ﷺ instead (Radd al-Muhtār 2/18).
والله تعالى أعلم
And Allāh Knows Best
Muhammad Kalim Misbahi
