Ruling on tahiyyat al-masjid (“greeting the mosque”)

Is tahiyyat al-masjid ("greeting the mosque") wajib(fard) ?
Praise be to Allaah.
Tahiyyat al-masjid ("greeting the mosque") isSunnah according to
mostof the scholars; some of the scholars stated that there was
consensus on this point.
Abu Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:The Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "When one of you
enters the mosque, let him not sit down until he has prayed two
rak'ahs."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1167; Muslim, 714
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The scholars are
unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to greet the mosque, and it is
makrooh to sit down without greeting it with no excuse, because of the
hadeeth of Abu Qataadah which clearly states that that is not allowed.
End quote from al-Majmoo', 3/544
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The scholars
are unanimously agreed that the command in this case is a
recommendation (as opposed to an obligation).Ibn Battaal narrated from
the literalists that it is obligatory, but Ibn Hazm stated that it is
not obligatory.
End quote from Fath al-Baari, 1/538, 539. See also al-Muhalla, 2/7
It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah (7/137): The Sunnah for the
one who enters the mosque at any time is to pray tahiyyat al-masjid,
because of the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him): "When one of you enters the mosque,
let him not sit down until he has prayed two ra 'ahs.Saheeh – agreed
upon.
End quote.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy onhim) said: The view that
tahiyyat al-masjid is obligatory is a strong view, but the more likely
to be correct is the view that it is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah
mu'akkadah). And Allah knows best.
:-* key word:- Voluntary Prayers