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Fatwa CenterPrayer of Salutation to the Masjid
Question
Is the prayer of salutation to the mosque required only in places named as Masjid? Should we do it in places we pray in, on regular basis (Friday prayer), or those chapels in the prisons, used by different faiths groups on different days? May Allah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
It is Sunnah to offer Tahiyyatul-Masjid (the prayer of salutation to the mosque) in any place that is prepared for performing prayers whether it is a mosque where the Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer is performed, or a mosque where the five obligatory prayers are performed, or any other place that is specified for the prayer. The evidence is the prophetic Hadeeth reported by Abu Qataadah 
that the Prophet said: “Whoever enters a mosque should perform two Raka'hs before sitting down.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Muslim scholars have various opinions concerning performing a prayer during the time when prayers are disliked, i.e. after Fajr until sunrise, and after 'Asr until sunset.
The Maaliki School of jurisprudence and others dislike performing prayers during the above-mentioned times while others permitted it since it is among the voluntary prayers that are performed for some reason.
Know that performing Tahiyyatul-Masjid on Friday even at the time when the Imam is delivering the sermon is Sunnah.
Jaabir narrated that "Sulayq al-Ghatafani came to the mosque on Friday while the Prophet was delivering the Khutbah, and he sat down. Thereupon, the Prophet told him: "O Sulayq, stand up and perform two Rak’ahs and make them short." Then he [Prophet] said: "If one of you comes on the day of Friday and the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, he should pray two Rak'ahs and make them short." [Muslim]
However, Tahiyyatul-Masjid can be offered at any place where prayers are offered, but during the Khutbah, it should be done quickly.
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 132253 and 22205.
Allah knows best.
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