What is recommended upon entering the mosque?
Chapter on Facing the Qiblah
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Upon entering the mosque, one should step with the right foot and recite the supplication: 'O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me,' as narrated from Abu Hurayrah or Abu Usayd. Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet, narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would send blessings upon Muhammad and supplicate: 'My Lord, forgive my sins and open the gates of Your mercy for me.' Furthermore, one must perform two rak'ahs of prayer (Tahiyyat al-Masjid) before sitting down, based on the command: 'If one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit until he has prayed two rak'ahs.'
Supporting text
When exiting, one should supplicate: 'O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty.' Fatimah also narrated that upon exiting, the Prophet would send blessings upon Muhammad and say: 'My Lord, forgive me and open the gates of Your bounty for me.' After performing the two rak'ahs, one should sit facing the Qibla and engage in remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Quran, or remain silent, avoiding worldly talk and interlacing fingers, as interlacing hands is considered from Satan, and one remains in a state of prayer until exiting the mosque.