Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question:Assalam alaykum,
Should I pray the 2 cycles of greeting the mosque before praying my prayers when I enter the prayer room of my university?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
No, the sunna of praying two cycles (rak`ats) of greeting the mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid) is specific to mosques, and not all prayer spaces. As such, you do not need to pray such a prayer. However, and in a general sense, you should still give the area the respect and dignity you would give a mosque as veneration for the sacred is a part of our religion.
Allah Most High says, “Whoever honours God’s symbols shows the piety of their hearts.” [22.32]
Please also see: The Prayer of Greeting the Mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid)
And Allah Most High alone knows best.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani