Dua for Entering the Mosque

Fatimah, the daughter of Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him), relates from her honoured grandmother Fatimah al-Kubra: "When our master the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the mosque, after sending blessings and peace upon the Prophet he would say, 'My Lord, forgive my sins and open to me the gates of Your mercy'" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Salah 117/314). This dua may be recited before entering the mosque or after entering, but reciting it beforehand is preferable.

To enter the mosque is to enter the house of Allah. Sending blessings upon our Prophet as one enters this sacred place, and then asking that the gates of mercy be opened, is the finest expression of a believer's good manners. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) advised entering the mosque with the right foot and leaving with the left. Sending blessings upon the Prophet when entering keeps alive the bond between a believer and his Prophet.

Abu Usayd (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "When you enter the mosque, give the greeting of peace" (Sunan Abi Dawud, Salah 17). A person entering the mosque should not sit down before performing the two rak'ahs of tahiyyat al-masjid (Sahih al-Bukhari, Salah 60).