If the obligation of "Tahiyat Al-Masjid" (greeting the mosque) and the regular Sunnah prayers before the obligatory prayer is established, should "Tahiyat Al-Masjid" be prayed first, then the regular Sunnah, or is it the intention that determines this? Is it permissible to pray the regular Sunnah without "Tahiyat Al-Masjid"? Is there any evidence for the permissibility of combining "Tahiyat Al-Masjid" with the regular Sunnah? And what is the meaning of "Al-Ustuwana" (the pillar) towards which the Prophet used to pray?
The majority of scholars hold that "Tahiyyat al-Masjid" (greeting the mosque prayer) is recommended, not obligatory. One who enters the mosque can begin with Tahiyyat al-Masjid and then follow it with voluntary prayers, or the regular supererogatory prayers can be performed in lieu of Tahiyyat al-Masjid. The purpose of Tahiyyat al-Masjid is to occupy the space with prayer, so if a Muslim performs any prayer, it suffices for Tahiyyat al-Masjid. "Al-Ustuwanah" means column.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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