| | | (Part No. 12; Page No. 388) | |
Ruling on offering Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid during the Friday Khutbah  Q: There has been a discussion between me and some of our Muslim brothers who used to offer Salah (Prayer) in the Masjid (mosque) Fitna at Rifi Marwa in the Democratic Republic of the Sudan, about observing the two Rak`ahs (unit of Prayer) of Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid (two-unit Prayer to salute the mosque) while the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) is delivering his Khutbah (sermon). I hope your Eminence will explain this issue for us, and show whether it is permissible to do so or not. Please take into consideration that those who offer Salah in this ancient Masijd follow the School of Jurisprudence of Imam Malik. A: It is an act of Sunnah (action following the teachings of the Prophet) for whoever enters a Masjid to perform two Rak`ahs of Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid even if the Imam is delivering the Khutbah according to what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:  When anyone among you enters the Masjid, he should not sit till he has observed two Rak`ahs. (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in the Two Sahih) Also, Muslim related in his Sahih from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that | | (Part No. 12; Page No. 389) | |
the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When any one of you comes on Friday while the Imam is delivering the sermon, he should observe two Rak`ahs and should make them short. .This is an explicit Nas (Islamic text from the Qur’an or the Sunnah) regarding the ruling on the issue, and it is not permissible for anyone to oppose it. It may be that Imam Malik (may Allah be merciful to him) was not informed about this Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), as it was authentically proven that he was of the opinion that it is not permissible to observe those two Rak`ahs at the time of the Khutbah. If this Sunnah is authentically proven about the Prophet (peace be upon him), no one is permitted to oppose it according to what Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:  O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. He (Exalted be He) also says: And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allâh (He is the ruling Judge).It is well-known that the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is directly taken from the Commands of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) according to what He says: He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), has indeed obeyed Allâh. May Allah grant us success. |
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