If you enter the mosque and the mu'adhdhin is calling the adhan for prayer, is it obligatory for you to follow the mu'adhdhin, or is it obligatory for you to perform the greeting of the mosque?
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The questioner : The questioner, among her questions, says: If I enter the mosque and the mu'adhdhin is calling the adhan for prayer, is it obligatory for me to follow the mu'adhdhin, or is it obligatory for me to perform the greeting of the mosque?
The Shaykh : First, the word "obligatory" regarding following the mu'adhdhin and the greeting of the mosque is incorrect, because following the mu'adhdhin is a recommended practice (sunnah) and the greeting of the mosque is a recommended practice (sunnah). However, it seems she is asking whether she should start with the greeting of the mosque or follow the mu'adhdhin. We say that if a person enters and the mu'adhdhin is calling the adhan, other than the second adhan of Friday, he should respond to the mu'adhdhin first. When he finishes and makes the known supplication after the adhan, he performs the greeting of the mosque.
As for the second adhan on Friday, if a person enters and the mu'adhdhin is calling the adhan, he does not follow the mu'adhdhin; rather, he prays the greeting of the mosque in order to be free to listen to the sermon. Listening to the sermon is obligatory, and responding to the mu'adhdhin is a recommended practice (sunnah). When an obligatory act and a recommended practice (sunnah) conflict, the obligatory act must be given priority. So we say: if you enter on Friday and the mu'adhdhin is calling the second adhan, pray the greeting of the mosque so that you finish it before the imam starts his sermon, or finish it after he starts the sermon, but do not take too long with it. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : First, the word "obligatory" regarding following the mu'adhdhin and the greeting of the mosque is incorrect, because following the mu'adhdhin is a recommended practice (sunnah) and the greeting of the mosque is a recommended practice (sunnah). However, it seems she is asking whether she should start with the greeting of the mosque or follow the mu'adhdhin. We say that if a person enters and the mu'adhdhin is calling the adhan, other than the second adhan of Friday, he should respond to the mu'adhdhin first. When he finishes and makes the known supplication after the adhan, he performs the greeting of the mosque.
As for the second adhan on Friday, if a person enters and the mu'adhdhin is calling the adhan, he does not follow the mu'adhdhin; rather, he prays the greeting of the mosque in order to be free to listen to the sermon. Listening to the sermon is obligatory, and responding to the mu'adhdhin is a recommended practice (sunnah). When an obligatory act and a recommended practice (sunnah) conflict, the obligatory act must be given priority. So we say: if you enter on Friday and the mu'adhdhin is calling the second adhan, pray the greeting of the mosque so that you finish it before the imam starts his sermon, or finish it after he starts the sermon, but do not take too long with it. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.