The Ruling on praying Tahiyyatul-Masjid during the Khutbah

Question :

A disagreement took place between some of the worshippers and myself over praying two Rak'ahs upon entering the mosque while the Imam is delivering the sermon. I request a ruling from His Eminence, the Shaikh regarding this matter. Is it permissible or not, bearing in mind that those worshippers are followers of the Mathhab of Imam Malik (Malikis).

Answer:

The Sunnah upon entering the mosque is to pray two Rak'ahs, as a salutation to the mosque (Tahiyyatul-Masjid), even if the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, based upon the words of the Prophet:
"If any of you enters the mosque, he should not sit until he has prayed two Rak'ahs.

Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in the two Sahihs. And Muslim narrated on the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said:
If any of you came (to the mosque) on Friday and the Imam was delivering the sermon, he should pray two Rak'ahs, making them light (i.e. short).

This is a clear evidence in the matter and it is not permissible for anyone to dispute it, based upon the saying of some person, whoever he may be. It is likely that this Sunnah did not reach Imam Malik, if it be authentically reported from him that he forbade the praying of two Rak'ahs at the time of the Khutbah. And when a Sunnah is authentically attributed to the Messenger of Allah, it is not permissible for any person to dispute it based upon the saying of any person, whoever he may be, because Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful says:
O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.

And He, the Most Glorified says:
And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah (He is the ruling Judge).

It is well known that the judgement of the Messenger is from the Judgement of Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful, according to the Words of Him, the Most Glorified:
He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad) has indeed obeyed Allah.
And Allah is the Granter of success.

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