The prayer offered in the congregation is twenty-five times more superior (in reward) to the prayer offered alone in one’s house or in a business center (Sahih al-Bukhari 477). So in order to gain multiple rewards, the believer shall offer Salah at Masjid/Mosque. There are certain Sunnahs and teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) about going to Masjid. Let’s go through the Hadith about the Dua we should recite for entering Masjid and leaving Masjid in this article.
It was narrated that Abu Humaid As-Sa’idi said:
“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘When anyone of you enters the mosque, let him send peace upon the prophet, then let him say: “Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatika (O Allah, open to me the gates of Your mercy).” And when he leaves, let him say: “Allahumma inni as’aluka min fadlika. (O Allah, I ask of you from Your bounty).”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 772 – Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
Dua For Entering Masjid
The English Transliteration of the Dua before entering the Masjid/Mosque is as follows:
Allahum-maftah lee abwaba rahmatik
The English translation is as follows:
O Allah, Open for me the gates of Your Mercy.
Related: Dua After Wudu in English
Dua For Leaving Masjid
The English Transliteration of the Dua before leaving the Masjid is as follows:
Allahumma Inni As’aluka Min Fadlik
The English translation is as follows:
O Allah, I ask You for Your favour.
Important: Recite Bismillah (In the name of Allah) and Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam (Peace be upon the Messenger of Allah) at the beginning of each Dua.
Follow This When Going to Masjid
1. It is Sunnah for the Muslim to recite the Dua for walking to the mosque. [Sahih Muslim]
‘Allaahumma aj’al fi qalbi nooran wa fi lisaani nooran waj’al fi sam’i nooran waj’al fi basari nooran waj’al min khalfi nooran wa min amaami nooran waj’al min fawqi nooran wa min tahti nooran, Allaahummah a’tini nooran
2. When the Iqamah is pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquillity to join the congregation. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
3. When he enters the masjid, he should enter with his right foot first and recite the Dua for entering Masjid. [Sahih Muslim]
4. After entering the Masjid, he should not sit down until he has prayed two rak’ahs to “greet the mosque”. [Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim]
5. When leaving the Masjid, he should exit with the left foot first, and recite the Dua after leaving Masjid that has been narrated from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). [Ibn Maajah 773]
