TAHIYYATUL MASJID; OUR WEAK POINT!

http://www.al-miftah.com/2013/06/08/tahiyyatul-masjid-our-weak-point/

Imagine a visitor that enters your home, takes a seat, occupies himself with his personal affairs, fulfils his need and then leaves without even greeting you..? The consequences of such a visit are obvious! Moreover, what if such behavior is repeated daily or even weekly?!! Ironically, it is we ourselves that are the perpetrators of such behaviour and we dont even realise it! Visiting Allah One who visits the Masjid is described as one who is actually visiting Allah Taala. (Shuabul Iman, hadith:2943, also see Takhreejul Ihya, hadith:408) A Sahabi once entered the Masjid of Rasulullah sallallahualaihi wasallam and sat down. Rasulullah sallallahualaihi wasallam reprimanded him by enquiring: What prevented you from performing two (rakats of salah) before you sat? The Sahabi radiyallahuanhu replied: O messenger of Allah! (I did so because) I observed that you and the rest of the gathering were all seated. Rasulullah sallallahualaihi wasallam then said: When anyone of you enters the Masjid, he should not sit down until he offers Sayyiduna Abu two rakats of salah. (Sahih Muslim, vol.1 pg.248) Qatadah radiyallahuanhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahualaihi

wasallam once said: Fulfil the right of the Masjid. The Sahabah radiyallahuanhum enquired as to what was the right of the Masjid Rasulullah sallallahualaihi wasallam replied: Two rakats of Salah before you sit. (Sahih Ibn

Khuzaimah, 1824; Fathul Bari, vol.1 pg.696, Hadith:444)

These two rakats have been termed: Tahiyyatul Masjid which translates as: The greeting of the Masjid. The Ulama state that these two rakats are in actual fact ones greeting to Allah, as the Masajid belong to him. (Tahtawi, pg.215 ; Shami, vol.2 pg.18). The extent to which Rasulullah sallallahualaihi wasallam emphasised on Tahiyyatul Masjid is evident from the above. In fact some of the scholars are of the opinion that Ta hiyyatul Masjid is Wajib, although the correct view is that it is a Sunnah . (Fathul Bari, vol.1

pg.696 ; Shami, vol.2 pg.18)

A sign of Qiyamah The absence of this practice in our society at present is a realization of the Hadith of Rasulullah sallallahualaihi wasallam in which he has stated that one of the signs of Qiyamah will be that a man would pass through a Masjid and not perform two rakats (Tahiyyatul Masjid). (Fathul Bari li Ibn Rajab, vol.3 pg.277 ; Majmauz-zawaid, vol.2 pg.24) In fact, it is Makruh for one to use the Masjid as a path way. (Shami, vol.1 pg.656) Therefore the next time we visit the Masjid, let us be more ethical By doing so, we would be strengthening our bond with Almighty Allah as well as the Masjid, Insha Allah. The Fuqaha (Jurists) have indicated that the Tahiyyatul Masjid will be fulfilled if one offers any Salah (Fard, Sunnah etc.) upon entering the Masjid (before being seated). One may even offer this Salah after forgetfully sitting down. (Shami, vol.2 pg.18) The Makruh times are excluded According to the Hanafi view, if one enters the Masjid at a time in which it is Makruh to

perform Nafl Salah, one should not offer Tahiyyatul Masjid. Rather one should occupy oneself with Dhikr and Tasbih. (Tahtawi, pg.215 ; Shami, vol.2 pg.18 ) The Makruh times for Nafl Salah are: 1) After the fardh of Fajr till 15 minutes after Sunrise, (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 586; Sahih

Muslim, vol.1 pg.275) 2) At Mid-day, (Sahih Muslim vol.1 pg.276) 3) After the fardh of Asr till Sunset, (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 586) 4) During the Friday Khutbah. (Nasbur-Rayah, vol.2 pgs.201-202)
The current extent of disregard for this sunnah is disturbing.

How unfortunate is the one who forsakes the opportunity of fulfilling the right of the Masjid and greeting Almighty Allah several times each day?!
May Allah Taala instill in us the value of this salah.