Etiquette of the Mosque

The Shaykh : So he continues on like this until he arrives, and when he reaches the city, there is no doubt he enters al-Masjid al-Nabawi and prays two rak'ahs as the greeting of the mosque. Here, most pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah overlook the etiquettes that pertain to all mosques, and especially al-Masjid al-Nabawi, from which those etiquettes originated. They overlook them, and the reason for that is that they have not practiced or become accustomed to such etiquettes in their own countries when they enter their mosques. Therefore, when entering the mosque, one should enter with the right foot, smiling, and saying: "In the name of Allah, O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and peace. O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy." Many people rush in, entering as if they were startled donkeys, in a hurry, not remembering the duty of the one entering the mosque in general, and the Prophet's mosque (peace be upon him) in particular. This etiquette that I mentioned earlier—they immediately rush to the grave of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), claiming to send blessings upon him at his grave. But when entering the mosque, they forget or overlook it. However, the first thing is the reality...