Which comes first, tawaf or the two rak'ahs of greeting the mosque?

Question:
This is a questioner for the program who has used the initials (A. A) as a code for his name. He says: Your Eminence, if a worshipper enters the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, should he pray two rak'ahs, or should he perform tawaf around the House? And if he does not perform tawaf around the House because the prayer is about to begin, should he pray two rak'ahs as a greeting to the mosque? Does this ruling apply to the one performing 'Umrah?

Answer:
When a Muslim enters the Sacred Mosque, the Sunnah for him is to perform tawaf, then pray two rak'ahs. If that is not feasible, or if he is lazy about it, or if the prayer is about to be established, then he should pray two rak'ahs as a greeting to the mosque, whether he is a pilgrim performing Hajj, a pilgrim performing 'Umrah, or a resident of the city. If he starts with tawaf, that is better, if it is feasible. If there are reasons preventing him from starting with tawaf, he should pray two rak'ahs, then perform tawaf for his Hajj and 'Umrah afterwards. However, he should not sit until he has prayed two rak'ahs as a greeting to the mosque, unless he arrives and the prayer has already begun, in which case he joins them in the prayer, and praise be to Allah, then he performs tawaf afterwards. But if he arrives before the prayer is established, he should either start with tawaf, or pray two rak'ahs and sit waiting for the prayer, then perform tawaf afterwards. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): This is a general statement that includes the Sacred Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, and other mosques. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would start with tawaf during his 'Umrah and Hajj; when he entered the mosque, he would start with tawaf—(peace and blessings be upon him). Yes.