The Instances and Times When Taheeyahtul Masjid Doesn’t have to be Prayed.
This is part 2 of 3 about the prayer for greeting the masjid ,its place and ruling from the book “ Rulings for Visiting the Masjids”. This book was written by Abdullah Ibn Salih Al-Fawzan
There are many times and instances when the prayer for greeting the masjid doesn’t have to be done. The most important to be aware of are as follow;
1. If a person goes in and out, in and out… of the masjid. Some of the people of knowledge say that two rak’ah are enough. This is the opinion of the Hanafee school of thought, and was also reported by Al-Mardaawee from Ibn ‘Aqeel Al-Hanbali. The reason for this stance is that it is difficult to pray Taheeyahtul Masjid every time you comer right back in the masjid after exiting.
On the other hand a large amount of the scholars view that it is recommended to offer the prayer for greeting the masid every time you enter. This is the position that Shaykul Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah took. An-Nawwaawee said: praying Taheeyahtul masjid in this type of situation is the most correct and proper view based on the obvious meaning of the hadeeth. Also Ash-Shaykh Abdur-Rahman As-Saa’dee held this view to be more acceptable than the other.
Nonetheless, it is apparent that two rak’ah for such a person would suffice; since he/she leaves the masjid and comes right back in. And in this case he isn’t considered to have left the masjid. This can be supported by the example of a person who leaves during ‘Iteekaf and comes right back, his ‘Iteekaf is still correct. However if he/she leaves the masjid without intending to return right away then in this case he must pray the two rak’ah when returning to Allaah’s house. And Allaah knows best.
2. If a person enters the masjid and sits for a long period of time before praying. However if he sits down briefly, he must stand up and pray Taheeyahtul masjid. The proof for this is in the hadeeth of Jabir (may Allaah be pleased with him), he said,” While the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was giving the Khutbah on Friday a man entered the masjid and sat. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) immediately asked him if he prayed. The man said” No.” Thus, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said,” Stand up and offer two Rak’ah.” (Bukhari 930, Muslim 875)
Imam An-Nawwaawee commenting on this hadeeth wrote: According to this hadeeth if a person momentarily sits downs forgetting to offer this prayer or is ignorant of its ruling, he must stand up and perform Taheeyahtul masjid.
On the contrary, there are some people of knowledge that hold if he sits for a long period of time the place for this prayer becomes lost. And another group of people say, even if he sits for a long duration of time, he still has to stand up and offer them; as the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him)ordered Sulayk(may Allaah be pleased with him)to do so- Taheeyahtul masjid after sitting down-. There is no specific time period for the person inside the masjid to carry out these two rak’ahs, even if he sits down. After sitting down he must standup and pray (two rak’ah).(Al-Mughnee 2/554, Ahkam Masaajid 2/188)
The opinion of the people that say if a person sits down for a lengthy time doesn’t have to pray Taheeyahtul Masjid isn’t really that strong. Ibn Hajr narrated a statement from Al-Muhhab At-Tabbaree. He said: It is possible to say that praying Taheeyahtul Masjid before sitting is superior to praying it after taking a seat. And it is permissible to pray Taheeyahtul Masjid after being seated. Furthermore, one could say praying those two Rak’ah before sitting is fulfilling the requirement, and offering them after sitting down is making them up. Moreover, it’s possible to view that these two Rak’ah can be done in conformity with the Shar’iah after briefly taking a seat in the masjid.(Fathul Bari 1/538, Keeshaaf al-Qeena’a 2/46)
3. If a person enters the masjid and the obligatory prayers are about to begin or have already begun. Also if a super obligatory prayer has begun .e.g Taraaweh. Additionally, a person doesn’t have to make Taheeyahtul masjid if he enters a masjid and needs to make-up a missed prayer. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ صَلاَةَ إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ
“If the obligatory prayer is being prayed, then no other prayer should be performed.”(Muslim 710)
The reason behind this stance is that Taheeyahtul Masjid is done in order to show glorification to the masjid. And by offering one of the five daily prayers, a Sunnah, or making up a missed prayer inside the masjid shows respect and honor for Allaah’s house. Therefore there is no need to offer Taheeyahtul masjid.
4. If you enter the masjid and the imam is finishing up Friday’s sermon. In this situation you should remain standing until he completes the Khutbah; as it is disliked to sit down without praying. The Muslim is ordered to offer these two rak;ah whenever he has the ability to do so. Hence in this condition he isn’t able to pray, therefore he is relieved of this obligation. Moreover if he/she enters the masjid and is afraid that they will miss Takbeer Ihram, the reading of Fateehah, or the first Rak’ah of the salah, then they aren’t obliged to pray Taheeyahtul masjid. (refer to Al-Um 1/227)
5. If a person enters Masjid Al-Haraam intending to perform Taawaf. As a result of making Taawaf immediately when entering the Haraam a person doesn’t have to pray Taheeyahtul masjid. And Allaah knows best.
Translated by. Abo Aaliyah Abdullah Ibn Dwight Battle.
source : http://abuaaliyah.multiply.com/journal/item/11
