Prayer Section · 19 – Prayer to be performed upon entering the mosque
Abū Katādah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When any of you enters a mosque, let him pray two rakʿahs before sitting.” [317]
COMMENTARY: This honorable hadith is evidence of the necessity of praying the ṭahiyyat al-masjid (greeting of the mosque) prayer for one who enters a mosque. Shāfiʿī has ruled based on its apparent meaning. He says it should be performed at any time, even if the preacher is on the pulpit. The Hanafīs, Māliki and Sufyān al-Thawri say that whoever enters the mosque after the preacher ascends the pulpit does not pray ṭahiyyat al-masjid, but sits immediately and listens to the preacher. (Maʿālim as-Sunan vol. 1, p. 261)
Abu Katada, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
It is related in a similar manner to the preceding hadith, except that it adds: "He may sit or leave for his need."