Fatwa ID: 04844
Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Question
We have recently purchased a factory unit next to the factory units we already have which we use as a masjid. With the new purchase we want to expand our Masjid and the current room which we use as a masjid will be moved. We wanted to know the following
Ø Can we move the current Masjid to the proposed Masjid as then the imam will be standing the front of the building?
Ø What do we do with the current Masjid as it is a Sharii Masjid? Can we use it as a Maktab room for the children’s classes?
Ø Do we have to connect the two Masjids by intention or is it okay to have the gap between the two Masjids of about 18 meters? The two Masjids are joined under one roof but are separated by different rooms.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
A Masjid is a place, which has been permanently dedicated to Allah (SWA) for the sake of prayer, recitation and His remembrance. Any land that has been dedicated for the sake of congregation prayers will also be called a Masjid. (Tahtawi p.172 v.4) Once a Masjid is erected, it will always be a Masjid. It cannot return to the property of the community. (Raddul Muhtar p.371 v.3)
Keeping the aforementioned information in mind we are now going to look at each question one by one.
- The existing Masjid will always remain a Masjid. It will not be permissible to transfer it to another building. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah p.226 v.15 & Ahsanul Fatawa p.451 v.6) Regarding your first question, you can have the Imam standing in the new Masjid and leading the Salah with the followers behind in the new and old Masjid. Insha Allah, I will explain further under the third answer. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah p.200 v.10)
- You should refrain from making the current Masjid into a Madrasah or Maktab. The main reason for its detestability is by having young children in the Masjid, there is a danger of the Masjid being disrespected and its sanctity being compromised.
Saib Bin Yazid Radiallahu Anhu narrates that one day he was asleep in the mosque when someone threw a pebble to wake him up. He saw that it was Saaiduna Umar Radiallahu Anhu who had woken him up. Saaiduna Umar Radiallahu Anhu pointed to two men who were making noise in the mosque and asked Saib to catch hold of them and bring them to him. Accordingly, he brought them to Umar Radiallahu Anhu. He asked them where they lived. They replied that they belonged to Taif. On hearing this, Umar Radiallahu Anhu said “if you had been residents of Madinah, I would have punished you for making noise in the mosque. However, I excuse you today because you have come from outside.” (Mosque in Islam p.113)
Saaiduna Umar Radialahu Anhu was very strict in this matter. He did not tolerate the slightest disrespect to the mosque. He used his whip even if he found children playing in the mosque. (Mosque in Islam p.114)
Furthermore, there is a hadith where the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam advised parents to keep their children away from the Masjid as there may be a possibility of them making the Masjid impure. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “Keep your insane people and your children away from the Masjid” (Sunan Ibn Majah p.54 v.1)
However, if there is no other alternative, then it will be permissible to have the Maktab and children classes inside the existing Masjid. Children and also teachers should be reminded of the respect and sanctity of the Masjid when the classes are being conducted there.
- Even though the two areas are under one roof, 18 meters is a big gap. On top of that, you have classrooms between them. Therefore, you should make the intention of a Masjid for the new building.
One final ruling to point out is that if the congregation is taking place in the new Masjid and the new Masjid is full, it will be impermissible for brothers to form rows in the existing Masjid without filling up the classrooms (which are in between the two areas) first. (Fatawa Hindiyyah p.87 v.1)
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
