Does one who enters the mosque during the prohibited times pray the greeting of the mosque?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, if a person enters the mosque during the prohibited times, does he pray the two rak'ahs of the greeting?

Answer:
This is a matter of scholarly disagreement. If he prays, there is no harm, and if he sits, there is no harm, because the disagreement among the scholars on this issue is balanced. Yes, even though the greeting of the mosque is not obligatory; it is a recommended practice (sunnah), not obligatory. So even if you enter the mosque at a time other than the prohibited times and sit, it is not forbidden for you. You would only be leaving off a recommended practice. Yes.