Moreover, prayer during the sermon is prohibited just as it is at these two times, or even more emphatically so. Yet it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“When one of you enters the mosque while the preacher is on the pulpit, he should not sit down until he has prayed two rak‘ahs.”

Since he commanded the prayer of greeting the mosque at this time, when prayer is prohibited, the same applies all the more to the other prohibited time. Ahmad’s position on this did not vary, because it is established by the authentic Sunnah. This differs from the position of Abū Hanīfah and Mālik, who held that it is prohibited in both circumstances, for this authentic Sunnah had not reached them. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“Should the prayer of greeting the mosque be offered at the prohibited times or not?”

He answered:

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“When one of you enters the mosque, he should not sit down until he has prayed two rak‘ahs.”

If someone enters at a prohibited time, should he pray? The scholars hold two views, but the stronger view is that he should pray. Many exceptions have been made to the Prophet’s prohibition of prayer after Fajr and after ‘Asr. An exception has also been made to the comparable prohibition during the sermon, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“When one of you enters the mosque while the imam is delivering the sermon, he should not