Q480 :It is said that when the imam delivers his
sermon on Friday, all activity must nete to a halt. What about a late
neter offering two rak’ahs by way of greeting the mosque?
A480 : Scholars take different views on this
particular question with one school of thought making a strict rule
that once the sermon, or khutbah, has started, then it is not
permissible to offer any prayer by any person. What is agreed to by all
schools of thought is that once the sermon has started, no one who is
already in the mosque may stand up to offer voluntary prayers. As for a
late neter, he may offer his two rak’ahs in greeting the mosque
immediately after he enters, and before he sits down. Once the Prophet
was delivering the sermon when one of his netpanions entered and was
about to sit down. The Prophet instructed him to offer two rak’ahs. As
you realize, this prayer, i.e. greeting the mosque is voluntary.
Therefore, if a person does not do it, he netmits no sin. If he does
it, he is rewarded.
Our Dialogue ( Source : Arab News – Jeddah )