Sunnah Of Going To The Masjid

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said:

وَأَنَّ ٱلۡمَسَٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدۡعُواْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا

“And the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.” (72:18)

It is recommended to go early to the Masjid

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)  said, “If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and Isha prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there.” (Al-Bukhari), Muslim also narrated it.

Dua when going to the Masjid

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ لِي فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا وَفِي لِسَانِي نُورًا وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورًا وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورًا وَمِنْ فَوْقِي نُورًا وَمِنْ تَحْتِي نُورًا وَعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا وَعَنْ شِمَالِي نُورًا وَمِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَىَّ نُورًا وَمِنْ خَلْفِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ فِي نَفْسِي نُورًا وَأَعْظِمْ لِي نُورًا 

O Allah! Place light in my heart, light in my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light above me, light below me, light on my right, light on my left, light in front of me, light behind me, place light in my soul, and make light abundant for me.

Walk to Masjid with calmness and solemnity

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When you hear the Iqama, proceed to offer the prayer with calmness and solemnity and do not make haste. And pray whatever you are able to pray and complete whatever you have missed.” (Bukhari) 

Note:  When going to the Masjid, walk with tranquility and peace, not rushing or running. To prevent rushing or running to the Masjid, go to the Masjid early and give yourself some time to pray Tahiyatul-Masjid before the prayer. The person can walk on foot or ride to Masjid, as it was narrated Ibn Umar “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to go to the Quba mosque, sometimes walking, sometimes riding.” (Bukhari). The hadith below mentions the merits in walking to Masjid. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Should I not suggest to you that by which Allah obliterates the sins and elevates the ranks (of a man). They (the hearers) said: Yes, Messenger of Allah. He said: Performing the ablution thoroughly despite odds, transverse more paces towards the mosque, and waiting for the next prayer after observing a prayer, and that is mindfulness.” (Muslim)

Dua upon entering the Masjid

When entering the Masjid, it is recommended to mention the Name of Allah and to send Salam and Salat upon Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

 {بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ} 

[In the Name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah]

 Then recite the supplication below,

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

O Allah! Open for me the doors of Your mercy

Note: When entering the Masjid, enter with the right foot

Dua when leaving the Masjid

When leaving the Masjid, it is recommended to send Salam and Salat upon Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

 {بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ} 

[In the Name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah] 

 Then recite the supplication below,

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ‏

O Allah! I beg of You Your Grace

Note: When leaving the Masjid, exit with the left foot.

It is recommended to perform Tahiyatul-Masjid (Greeting the Masjid)

Narrated Abu Qatada bin Rabi Al-Ansari: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If anyone of you enters a Mosque, he should not sit until he has offered a two rakats (of Nafil) prayer.” (Bukhari)

It is prohibited to go to Masjid after eating raw garlic or onion

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever has eaten garlic or onion, should keep away from us, or should keep away from our mosque and should stay at home.” (Bukhari)

Dos and Don'ts

• It is permissible to lie down or sleep in the Masjid
• It is permissible to eat and drink in the Masjid but be careful not to dirty the Masjid or leave crumbs that may attract unwanted creatures in the Masjid. Clean up after finishing.
• It is encouraged to wear clean clothes and presentable clothes when going to the house of Allah specially for Jumuah and Eids.
• It is encourage to use Miswak before going to the Masjid
• It is permissible to talk about lawful and worldly matters in the Masjid. However, avoid disturbing or distracting others who are praying, reciting the Quran, learning knowledge or remembering Allah in the Masjid and be mindful of speech and tone of voice. 
• It is forbidden to buy and sell or make an announcement about lost possession in the Masjid. The Masjid is a place of worship and educating Muslim about the deen, the Masjid is not a store or marketplace.

*** For more information on Sunnah of Going to Masjid, please refer to the Quran the book of Allah and  the books of Hadiths.