The Ruling on the Greeting of the Mosque and an Explanation of His Saying: “I Prayed Two Rak’ahs Before You Came”

Question:
A questioner asks: Is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “I prayed two rak’ahs before you came,” evidence that the greeting of the mosque is a recommended practice (sunnah) and not obligatory?

Answer:
There is no doubt in this. The majority of scholars hold that the greeting of the mosque is a recommended practice (sunnah) and not obligatory. The only ones who say it is obligatory are the Zahiris. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said , this is a voluntary prayer. The evidence is that when the Bedouin asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about prayer, he explained to him the five daily prayers. He said . So this hadith is the basis for the fact that the two rak’ahs of the greeting of the mosque are not obligatory, because he asked, “Is there anything else required of me?” meaning the five daily prayers? He said, “No, except if you offer voluntary prayer.” So this falls under “anything else required of me.” Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh,