Sharʿī Ruling for a Person Entering the Mosque During the Adhān
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question:
If a person enters the mosque while the muʾadhdhin is giving the adhān, what is the best course of action for him?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
When a person enters the mosque while the muʾadhdhin is calling the adhān:
✿ The best practice is to respond to the muʾadhdhin by repeating the words of the adhān.
✿ After the adhān, he should recite the prescribed supplication.
✿ Then he should perform Taḥiyyat al-Masjid (two rakʿahs of greeting the mosque).
Special Ruling for Jumuʿah
Some scholars have made one exception to this general rule:
- If a person enters the mosque on Friday while the muʾadhdhin is giving the second adhān:
◈ In this case, it is better for him to perform Taḥiyyat al-Masjid immediately.
◈ This is because listening to the khuṭbah is wājib (obligatory), whereas replying to the adhān is not obligatory.
◈ Therefore, protecting the obligatory act takes precedence over a non-obligatory act.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
