Q4: If one sees a masjid, is he required to recite durood shareef? And if he sees many masajid in the area; does he have to keep saying durood shareef for each one?

Question:

If one sees a masjid, is he required to recite durood shareef? And if he sees many masajid in the area; does he have to keep saying durood shareef for each one?

Answer:

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Allama Sakhawi has written a chapter specifically on the invocations of blessings to be invoked on certain occasions. Amongst them he has mentioned reciting durood shareef on seeing a masjid.

(عن علي بن ابى طالب رضي الله عنه قال اذا مررتم بالمساجد فصلوا على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم اخرجه اسماعيل القاضي (القول البديع

‘Sayyiduna Ali Radhiallahu anhu says: “When you happen to pass by a masjid, then send salat upon The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam”. Narrated by Ismail Al-Qadhi’ (Al-Qawl ul-Badee’ pg 188)

From this we understand that it would be desirable to recite durood shareef upon seeing a masjid. Maybe this is because Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala gave us guidance, Quran, Salat, and the masjid through Rasulullah sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam, so it would be wise to show our gratefulness to Allah and act upon his command in Surat Al-Ahzab:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

“Surely Allah and his angels shower blessings upon the Prophet. O’ you who believe! Send blessings to him and greet him with a good greeting.”(33:56)

However, this is neither fardh nor wajib. Therefore, if a person recites durood shareef upon seeing a masjid or many masajid, he will be rewarded; if not, he will not be questioned on the Day of Qiyamat.