Fatwa ID: 03248

Answered by: Maulana Yusuf Khan

Question

I pray you are well.

Alhamdulillah! I have just returned from Haramayn Shareefayn after Ramadhan. Whilst I was there a question came to mind, if tall buildings are a sign of Qiyamah – would it be permissible to stay in hotels such as Hilton and Zamzam towers?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful 

Answer:

There is no doubt that tall buildings are a sign of the final hour due to the following hadeeth:

One day while the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.

1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.

2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.

The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour–." (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) left and the Prophet (ﷺ) asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu 'Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.

Reference:

Sahih Al Bukhari, Book 2, Hadeeth 43

Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 48

There is no evidence from Qur'an or hadeeth to indicate that living in tall buildings or in lofty buildings is not allowed. In fact there are hadiths which can be found in Sahih Bukhari that the Prophet during the period of Ilaa was staying at a Mashrubah i.e. at a lofty place.

Only Allah (SWT) knows best.

Written by Maulana Yusuf Khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham