Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Burhan,

Assalam Alaikum,

Reference to your answer for the question 6695, and the reference from the Sahi Buqari Hadith No. 2.52, narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah, does it not become obligatory for all to pray 2 rakah even the sermon is in progress. Why then you say that it is not obligatory when Prophet Mohammed (saws) cleary instructed to pray 2 rakahs before sitting.

Kindly base your answer with guidance from sahi ahadiths.

Thanks

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Answer:

Tahiyat masjid before sitting in masjid

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Muwatta Hadith 9.60

Yahya related from Malik, from Amir ibn Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr, from Amr ibn Sulaymaz-Zuraqi, from Abu Qatadaal-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "Whenever you enter the masjid, you should pray two rakahs before you sit down."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.52 Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah

A person entered the mosque (and sat down) while the Prophet (saws) was delivering the Khutba on a Friday. The Prophet said to him, "Have you prayed?" The man replied in the negative. The Prophet (saws) said, "Get up and pray two Rakat."

Your Question: …..does it not become obligatory for all to pray 2 rakah even the sermon is in progress

The only prayers which will remain obligatory upon the believers are the five daily prayers prescribed by Allah Subhanah; all other prayers will be considered voluntary.

As much as the Prophet (saws) recommended and stressed that the believers offer a two-rakah ‘tahiyatul-masjid’ prayer before they sit down in a masjid, it would not make the prayer obligatory; but it would remain a step below obligatory and would be considered ‘wajib’ or ‘mustahab’ in Islamic Jurisprudence terminology.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan