Greeting upon entering the Sacred Mosque

Question:
Is the greeting upon entering the Sacred Mosque the prayer—two rak'ahs—or is it tawaf?

Answer:
Its greeting is tawaf, for whoever is able to perform tawaf. As for the one who is not able to perform tawaf, he prays two rak'ahs and sits. However, if tawaf is facilitated for him, that is better; he begins with tawaf. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he entered the mosque, began with tawaf. So if that is facilitated, it is recommended for him to begin with tawaf, seven circuits, then he prays two rak'ahs, the two rak'ahs of tawaf, and that suffices for the greeting of the mosque. And if there is a rawatib, such as for the Zuhr prayer, he prays the rawatib in place of it. He prays the rawatib of Zuhr before the prayer, after the two rak'ahs of tawaf. He prays the rawatib if his tawaf was before Zuhr, meaning: after the adhan. He performed tawaf, then prayed the two rak'ahs of tawaf, then he prays the rawatib, two taslims for Zuhr. Yes.