Mistakes regarding offering Tahiyyatul-Masjid on Friday

Sources:

• The Clarified Ruling of Mistakes Done in Salaat, by Mashhur Hassan al-Salmaan
• Fat-h Dhil-Jalaali wal-Ikraam bi Sharh Bulugh al-Maraam, by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)

A- Upon entering the Masjid on Friday, some people commit several mistakes, one of which is sitting without offering Tahiyyatul-Masjid. This is a common mistake, especially among those who attend the Masjid late while the Imaam is delivering the Khutbah.

Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that a man entered the Masjid on Friday while the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was delivering the Khutbah (religious talk, sermon). He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Have you prayed?” He (the man) replied: “No.” He [the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] said: “Stand and pray two Rak’ah.” [Agreed upon]

The narration of al-Bukhaari (Rahimahullaah) includes the word “khafifatain” after the word “two Rak’ah” which means that one should offer two light Rak’ah prayer, so as to save as much time as he can to listen to the Khutbah.

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said while commenting on the Hadeeth: “This Hadeeth indicates that offering Tahiyyatul-Masjid is obligatory upon whoever enters the Masjid and especially those who enter the Masjid while the Imaam is delivering the Khutbah. This is because listening to the Khutbah on Friday is obligatory, and nothing should occupy one from performing an obligatory act except another obligatory act. This opinion is preferred by many scholars.” [Sharh Bulugh al-Maraam]

Haafidh Ibn Hajar (Rahimahullaah) said: “Our revered Shaikh Abul-Fadl said in “Sharh at-Tirmidhi”, that all the Sahaabah who prohibited performing Salaat while the Imaam is delivering his speech, is addressed to those who are already present in the Masjid (and want to do Nafl prayer). None of them prohibited offering Tahiyyatul-Masjid. Moreover, the order of doing it is clearly stated in an independent Hadeeth that should not be abandoned just for a probable interpretation of other narrations.” [Fat-h al-Baari]

B- Another mistake that some people make concerns those who enter the Masjid on Friday while the Mu’adhdhin is calling the Adhaan and the Imaam is sitting on the pulpit. They wait for the former to finish and the latter to start delivering the Khutbah and then they start offering Tahiyyatul-Masjid. This is a mistake; for listening to the Khutbah is obligatory unlike listening to and repeating the Adhaan after the Mu’adhdhin, which is Sunnah.

Imaam as Shaafi’e (Rahimahullaah) said: “Whoever enters the Masjid while the Imaam is delivering his speech or while the Adhaan is being called, should offer two Rak’ah and should make them short in accordance with the command of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).” [Al-Umm]