The Virtue of Salat Tahiyatul Al-Masjid

Salat  (prayer) of Tahiyyat Al-Masjid (greeting the mosque) is a prayer performed for two raka’at that someone did when entering into a mosque and the law including into a sunnah (recommended) and be the right of each person who will enter the mosque.

Salat Tahiyatul The mosque is prescribed for every time when someone enters the mosque and has the intention to sit in it. This is the opinion of Imam Asy-Shafii and Ahmad ibn Hambal who later also reinforced by Ibn Baz, Ibn Taimiyah and also Ibn al-Utsaimin-rahimahumullah. 

In the hadith narrated by Abu Qatadah radhiyallahu ‘anhu. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam said,

“If one of you entering a mosque, then let him pray two raka’at before he sits.” (Hadith of Al Bukhari : 537 and Muslim : 714)

Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah-radhiyallahu’ anhu also said,

“Sulaik al-Ghathafani came on Friday, while Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam was sermoning, he sat down. So he immediately asked him, “O  Sulaik, get up and pray two raka’at, do it lightly.” Later he said, “If one of you comes on Friday, while the imam is sermoning, then let him prays two raka’at, and let him do it lightly. ” (Hadith of Al Bukhari : 49 and Muslim : 875)

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These are some of the virtue of salat tahiyyat al-masjid for those who carry it out. Among them are :

1. A Form of Honoring to the Mosque

Performing tahiyat al-masjid is one form of honoring the mosque which is the house of Allah or baitullah. According to the scholar’s jumhur (majority), the standing of this sunnah prayer is like the greeting time when entering the house or greeting time when we met brother in faith. Read also : Prayer for Getting Partner and Fortune

This is also re-emphasized by Imam Nawawi rahimahullaah who said,

“Some of them (scholars) revealed it with the Tahiyyah Rabbil Masjid (honoring the Rabb-God worshiped in the mosque), cause the intent of the prayer as a taqarrub activity (getting closer) to Allah, not to His mosque, for the one who enters the king’s house, he will honor the king itself not to his house.” (Hasyiyah Ibn Qasim : 2/252)

2. Covering the Lack of Obligatory Prayers

Salat tahiyyat al-masjid is also used to cover up the lack of obligatory prayers. As reflected from a hadith of Rasulullah SAW which means,

“Truly the first practice be reckoned on humans on the Judgement Day is prayer. Allah ‘azza wa jalla said to his angel and He who knows better, “Look at the prayers of My servant. Is the prayer perfect or not? If the prayer is perfect, it will be recorded for him a perfect reward. But if in the prayer there is a little shortage, then Allah says: Behold, whether My servant has the practice of sunnah. If my servant has the practice of the sunnah, Allah says: Perfect the inadequate in obligatory practice with the practice of sunna. “Then other deeds will be treated like this.” (Hadith of Abu Daud, Ibn Majah, Ahmad)

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3. Removing Sin and Elevated the Degrees

Tahiyyat al-masjid who became one of the sunnah prayer will also remove the sins and elevate the degree, cause by multiplying the prostration can be done by performing some sunnah prayer like tahiyyat al-masjid.

“I said to Tsauban, ‘Tell me a practice that beloved by Allah.’ When asked, Tsauban was silent. Then asked a second time, he was still silent. Until the third time, Tsauban said, ‘I once asked the question before to Rasulullah sallallaahu’ alaihi wa sallam.

He said,

“You shall multiply prostration (prayer) to Allah. For you have not prostrated for Allah but Allah will exalt you and wipe your sins’. “Then Ma’dan said,” I have met Abu Darda once and asked the same question. Then Abu Darda’s friend replied as Tsauban answered me.” (Hadith of Muslim)

4. A Reflection of Taqwa (piety) and Tawakkul (reliance on Allah)

Implementing tahiyayat al-masjid is also a reflection of the level of taqwa and a sense of tawakkul or reliance of His servant to Allah SWT. One of these sunnah prayers is a manifestation of sincerity and determination that comes from a servant who is committed to spend his time, energy and even his wealth just to do the prayer so that more closer to Allah.

Therefore, it would be very reasonable if a servant who performs prayer tahiyyat al-masjid is a reflection of obedience and piety to Allah. Allah also has promised various rewards and honor as a reward from performing salat tahiyyat al-masjid. [AdSense-A]

5. Solving Problems in Life

Another virtue of salat tahiyyat al-masjid is as a means to solved all kinds of problems occured in life. In the life of Rasulullah SAW the most glorious, he ever had problems or affairs that made him became concerned and restless so Rasulullah SAW increase on performing sunnah prayers.

In the hadith of Qudsi, Allah SWT has ordered to humans to perform sunnah prayers in the intention only for Allah SWT. It is solely, start from the beginning of the day at least four raka’at, then Allah will give him enough. (Sunah Ad-Darimi, Musnad Ahmad)

6. Increase the Perfection of Fard Prayer

The virtue and also the benefits of performing sunnah prayer like tahiyyat al-masjid is to perfect Fard prayer. With this, if there is negligence on Fard prayer, forget, mistake or deficiency it will be perfected with the sunnah prayer.

“And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him.” (QS. Al-Baqarah : 184)

Sunnah prayers or also called tathawwu prayers are appertain as the area of virtue from the side of the above mentioned verse. What is meant by the word “it is better for him” is more to improve and perfect the lack of goodness on the obligatory. Read also : Types of Salat Prayer

7. As a Form of Gratitude

Prayer tahiyyat al-masjid is also a form of gratitude from a servant to Allah SWT for all the blessings that have been obtained like the favor of sustenance, the favors of health, listening pleasure, the favor of breathing, the favor of walks and various other blessings that Allah has given to us. Read alsoImportance of Gratitude in Islam

During the life of Rasulullah, each night he always perform sunnah prayer until his feet swollen. In a hadith narrated,

“When his wife Aisha saw her, Aisha asked: ‘is not Allah SWT has forgiven all your sins that have happened and which will come?’ Then the Prophet answered and said: ‘Can not I be a grateful servant (to God)?” (Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim)

8. Prayer Tahiyyat al-Masjid is The Best Deeds

Prayer tahiyyat al-masjid is the most important deeds. Tsauban said if the Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

“Do Istiqomah (steadfastnesss) and sometimes you can not do it perfectly. Please know that your most important deeds is prayer. No one keeps wudu (ablution) except he is a believer.” (Hadith of Ibn Majah : 277 and Ahmad : 276, validated by Syaikh Al Albani)

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9. Achieve the Foremost Wali (friend) of Allah SWT

With performing sunnah prayer diligently like tahiyyat al-masjid, then someone will be made as special wali of Allah. The wali of Allah here is not a person with the magic of being able to fly and wearing rosary and turban, but someone believed and fear of Allah (friend of Allah or saint).

“Uquestionably, (for) the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (QS. Yunus : 63)

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10. Recommended Prayers and Can not Be Underestimated

Prayer tahiyyat al-masjid is a prayer that is highly recommended and can not be underestimated and by performing this prayer it will be honored in heaven since already honoring the mosque. Rasulullah SAW said:

“Surely among the signs near the end of the world is someone through (enter) the mosque, but not performing two raka’at prayers in it.” (Hadith of Ibn Khuzaimah in validation).

Thus are the full explanation from us about the virtue of salat tahiyyat al-masjid. By knowing the greatness of salat tahiyyat al-masjid, then we should try to implement it with the intention to get closer to Allah SWT, who has created us and give a lot of favors toward us. Read also : Importance of Devotion to Parents in Islam