(6-4) The Prayer of Greeting the Mosque
This chapter addresses the following issues:
First: Its ruling.
Second: What constitutes greeting the Sacred Mosque?
Third: When someone enters the mosque and the iqāmah has been called.
Fourth: When someone enters the mosque while the imam is delivering the Friday sermon.
The details are as follows:
— (1-6-4) Its Ruling:
When a Muslim enters the mosque intending to sit, he must pray two rak'ahs. A number of hadiths establish that this is obligatory, including the following:
Abū Qatāda al-Sulamī reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When one of you enters the mosque, let him pray two rak'ahs before sitting down.” Recorded by al-Bukhārī and Muslim. (1)
In another narration: “When one of you enters the mosque, he must not sit until he has prayed