Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
If a person offers the Sunnah of Fajr at home and then enters the mosque and performs Tahiyyat al-Masjid (two rak‘ahs upon entering the mosque), and his wudu breaks during this time, after renewing wudu and before the congregation begins, can he offer Tahiyyat al-Wudu (two rak‘ahs after ablution) during this period?
✦ Both Tahiyyat al-Wudu and Tahiyyat al-Masjid are supererogatory (nafl) prayers and are not obligatory in nature. They can also be fulfilled incidentally through other nafl or fard prayers. For example, in the scenario mentioned, when the person eventually offers the Fajr obligatory prayer, it will inherently include the reward and intention of both Tahiyyat al-Wudu and Tahiyyat al-Masjid.
Sometimes, a person may perform just two rak‘ahs, but receive the reward for multiple intentions. For instance, if someone arrives at the mosque, the Adhan is being called, he performs wudu, and then offers the two rak‘ahs of Sunnah al-Fajr, while also making the intention of Salat al-Istikhara, then in those two rak‘ahs:
✔ He earns the reward for Sunnah al-Fajr,
✔ Tahiyyat al-Wudu (Greeting of Ablution),
✔ Tahiyyat al-Masjid (Greeting of the Mosque), and
✔ Salat al-Istikhara (Prayer of Guidance).
Thus, with just two rak‘ahs, multiple intentions can be merged, and the rewards for all are granted.
① Tahiyyat al-Wudu and Tahiyyat al-Masjid are not obligatory and can be combined with other prayers.
② Offering another separate prayer before the congregation starts is permissible, but not required if time is short.
③ One may gain the reward for multiple prayers with a single act, based on the intention.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
❀ Question:
If a person offers the Sunnah of Fajr at home and then enters the mosque and performs Tahiyyat al-Masjid (two rak‘ahs upon entering the mosque), and his wudu breaks during this time, after renewing wudu and before the congregation begins, can he offer Tahiyyat al-Wudu (two rak‘ahs after ablution) during this period?
❀ Answer:
✦ Both Tahiyyat al-Wudu and Tahiyyat al-Masjid are supererogatory (nafl) prayers and are not obligatory in nature. They can also be fulfilled incidentally through other nafl or fard prayers. For example, in the scenario mentioned, when the person eventually offers the Fajr obligatory prayer, it will inherently include the reward and intention of both Tahiyyat al-Wudu and Tahiyyat al-Masjid.
✿ Combined Intentions in Nafl Prayers:
Sometimes, a person may perform just two rak‘ahs, but receive the reward for multiple intentions. For instance, if someone arrives at the mosque, the Adhan is being called, he performs wudu, and then offers the two rak‘ahs of Sunnah al-Fajr, while also making the intention of Salat al-Istikhara, then in those two rak‘ahs:
✔ He earns the reward for Sunnah al-Fajr,
✔ Tahiyyat al-Wudu (Greeting of Ablution),
✔ Tahiyyat al-Masjid (Greeting of the Mosque), and
✔ Salat al-Istikhara (Prayer of Guidance).
Thus, with just two rak‘ahs, multiple intentions can be merged, and the rewards for all are granted.
✔ Summary:
① Tahiyyat al-Wudu and Tahiyyat al-Masjid are not obligatory and can be combined with other prayers.
② Offering another separate prayer before the congregation starts is permissible, but not required if time is short.
③ One may gain the reward for multiple prayers with a single act, based on the intention.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
