Ruling on tahiyyat al-masjid (“greeting the mosque”)

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As-Salaamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Is tahiyyat al-masjid (“greeting the mosque”) wajib(fard) ?
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Check below answers in case you are looking for other related questions:
It is better for workers to hasten to pray when they hear the adhaan
What do those who think that prayers in qiyaam al-layl should be offered two (rak‘ahs) by two say about the hadeeth of Mu‘aadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him)?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Tahiyyat al-masjid (“greeting the mosque”) is Sunnah according to most of the scholars; some of the scholars stated that there was consensus on this point. 

Abu Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak‘ahs.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1167; Muslim, 714 

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to greet the mosque, and it is makrooh to sit down without greeting it with no excuse, because of the hadeeth of Abu Qataadah which clearly states that that is not allowed.

End quote from al-Majmoo‘, 3/544 

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The scholars are unanimously agreed that the command in this case is a recommendation (as opposed to an obligation). Ibn Battaal narrated from the literalists that it is obligatory, but Ibn Hazm stated that it is not obligatory. 

End quote from Fath al-Baari, 1/538, 539. See also al-Muhalla, 2/7 

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah (7/137): The Sunnah for the one who enters the mosque at any time is to pray tahiyyat al-masjid, because of the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): “When one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit down until he has prayed two ra ‘ahs. Saheeh – agreed upon.

End quote. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The view that tahiyyat al-masjid is obligatory is a strong view, but the more likely to be correct is the view that it is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah mu’akkadah). And Allah knows best. 

End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 14/354 

And Allah knows best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam

Related Answers:
Ishraaq prayer is Sunnah and is not obligatory
How to perform the twelve rak‘ahs (regular Sunnah prayers) on Friday?
Ways of offering Witr prayer that are narrated in the reports
It is better for workers to hasten to pray when they hear the adhaan
What do those who think that prayers in qiyaam al-layl should be offered two (rak‘ahs) by two say about the hadeeth of Mu‘aadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him)?

Recommended answers for you:
Ruling on divorce at a moment of anger
The way to a good end
Fatwa from the Standing Committee on the “Business and “Hibbat al-Jazeerah” companies and pyramid marketing schemes
Ruling on shaving the beard
Jumu’ah prayer is not obligatory for women