When anyone of you enters the mosque, let him offer two Rak‘ahs before he sits down

Arabic text

عَنْ ‌أَبِي قَتَادَةَ السَّلَمِيِّ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ».

Translation

Abu Qatādah as-Salami (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When anyone of you enters the mosque, let him offer two Rak‘ahs before he sits down."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) encourages those who come to the mosque and enter it, at any time and for any purpose, to offer two Rak'ahs before sitting down. These two Rak'ah are the two rak'ahs of greeting the mosque.

Benefits

• It is recommended to offer two Rak‘ahs as a greeting to the mosque before sitting down.
• This command applies to those who want to sit down. Whoever enters the mosque and leaves it before sitting down is not included in this.
• If a person enters while the people are performing the prayer and he joins them, this is sufficient for him in place of the two Rak‘ahs.

Topics

• Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
• Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
• Prayer
• Voluntary Prayer
• The rulings of mosques