Fatwa ID: 04087

Answered by: Alimah Sabrina Saidova

Question

I have enclosed a document that has very clear information regarding my question if further details are needed. I request the well respected Mufti to please read and send me a fatwa regarding the issues in light of the Shariah.

My question to the Mufti is as follows.

There is a charity within the U.K who has collected money from Muslims and told them the money will be used to build a Masjid in Leeds. It has now become clear from the planning document granted by Leeds city council that this will not be a Masjid, rather it will be a multi-faith center and will only have a prayer area for Muslims.

Please can the respected Mufti write back and provide a fatwa in regards to the above matter and if it is acceptable in the Shariah to collect in the name of a Masjid from Muslims, but to build a center in which other than Allah will be worshipped.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

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

Answer:

If the charity organization told people the charity is for a Masjid, and there are indications that the people were deceived into giving money, then this money would not be valid for the organization as they used deception and fraud. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the organization said it’s for a Masjid, but perhaps they meant the prayer room itself and it was just a misunderstanding altogether. In this case, the Muslims are still provided with their own space of worship so they have still gained a great benefit from the money they gave. Moreover, it is hoped that Allah Ta’ala will bless them for the charity they gave in hope of a masjid.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Alimah Sabrina Saidova

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham