Fatwa ID: 07436
Answered by: Maulana Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Question:
Any of the Ulama aware if the entirety of the Blue Mosque (Turkey) is a shari masjid or otherwise?
And yes my question was about entering the blue mosque in the state of Haidh.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
“Rules: As Hagia Sophia is still a mosque, guests must follow the mosque’s dress code, even if they are just looking at the second floor. Women must cover their hair and dress appropriately.
New facilities with current updates:
1. Tourism is no longer allowed in the prayer area on the first floor; visitors are only allowed in the gallery on the second floor.
2. Free prayer area entrance is available to Muslim tourists at Hagia Sophia only during prayer times. The gate faces Sultanahmet Square (old gate).”
Based on available information about the Blue Mosque, it appears that the second floor is not regarded as part of the mosque, otherwise, the same restrictions would apply as in the main prayer area.
However, the space from the ground to the sky of a masjid is considered part of the masjid, so it is advisable to avoid the second floor as well.
After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the building served as a masjid until 1935, when it was converted into a museum. In 2020, it was once again designated as a masjid.
The masjid has undergone various phases and served different purposes over the centuries, making it unclear which areas are officially part of the masjid and which are not. Additionally, the exact details regarding areas accessible to tourists are not publicly clear.
To ensure respect for the masjid’s sanctity, it would be prudent to seek guidance from local scholars. If that is not possible, it is better to refrain from entering areas where there may be doubt, to avoid violating the sanctity of the masjid.
«النهاية في شرح الهداية – السغناقي» (3/ 101 بترقيم الشاملة آليا):
«قوله: لأن سطح المسجد له حكم المسجد؛ لأن حكم المسجد ثابت في الأرض والسقف والهواء جميعًا حتى يصح الاقتداء بمن تحته أي: إذا كان خلفه، ولا يحل للجنب والحائض والنفساء الوقوف عليه؛»
«حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي» (1/ 656):
«لِأَنَّهُ مَسْجِدٌ إلَى عَنَانِ السَّمَاءِ»
(قَوْلُهُ لِأَنَّهُ مَسْجِدٌ) عِلَّةٌ لِكَرَاهَةِ مَا ذُكِرَ فَوْقَهُ. قَالَ الزَّيْلَعِيُّ: وَلِهَذَا يَصِحُّ اقْتِدَاءُ مَنْ عَلَى سَطْحِ الْمَسْجِدِ بِمَنْ فِيهِ إذَا لَمْ يَتَقَدَّمْ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ.
وَلَا يَبْطُلُ الِاعْتِكَافُ بِالصُّعُودِ إلَيْهِ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لِلْجُنُبِ وَالْحَائِضِ وَالنُّفَسَاءِ الْوُقُوفُ عَلَيْهِ؛
«الفتاوى العالمكيرية = الفتاوى الهندية» (1/ 38):
«وَمِنْهَا) أَنَّهُ يَحْرُمُ عَلَيْهِمَا وَعَلَى الْجُنُبِ الدُّخُولُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ سَوَاءٌ كَانَ لِلْجُلُوسِ أَوْ لِلْعُبُورِ. هَكَذَا فِي مُنْيَةِ الْمُصَلِّي وَفِي التَّهْذِيبِ لَا تَدْخُلُ الْحَائِضُ مَسْجِدًا لِجَمَاعَةٍ وَفِي الْحُجَّةِ إلَّا إذَا كَانَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ مَاءٌ وَلَا تَجِدُ فِي غَيْرِهِ وَكَذَا الْحُكْمُ إذَا خَافَ الْجُنُبُ أَوْ الْحَائِضُ سَبُعًا أَوْ لِصًّا أَوْ بَرْدًا فَلَا بَأْسَ بِالْمُقَامِ فِيهِ وَالْأَوْلَى أَنْ يَتَيَمَّمَ تَعْظِيمًا لِلْمَسْجِدِ. هَكَذَا فِي التَّتَارْخَانِيَّة.»
«حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي» (1/ 291):
«قَوْلُهُ دُخُولِ مَسْجِدٍ) أَيْ وَلَوْ الْمَسْجِدُ مَدْرَسَةً أَوْ دَارًا لَا يَمْنَعُ أَهْلُهُمَا النَّاسَ مِنْ الصَّلَاةِ فِيهِ وَكَانَا لَوْ أُغْلِقَا يَكُونُ لَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْهُمْ وَإِلَّا فَلَا تَثْبُتُ لَهُ أَحْكَامُ الْمَسْجِدِ كَمَا قَدَّمْنَاهُ فِي بَحْثِ الْغُسْلِ عَنْ الْخَانِيَّةِ وَالْقُنْيَةِ.»
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Maulana Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
