Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
Non-Muslims — particularly polytheists — are strictly prohibited from entering the Sanctuary (Ḥaram), and especially al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, for any purpose whatsoever.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَٰذَا ۚ وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ
[Surah At-Tawbah: 28]
“O you who believe! Indeed, the polytheists are impure, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Ḥarām after this year. And if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you from His bounty.”
Thus, after the revelation of this verse, no disbeliever or polytheist may enter the Sacred Mosque under any circumstance.
As for mosques other than al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, the scholars have differed on whether polytheists or disbelievers may enter — particularly in cases of necessity or public interest.
Since the above verse explicitly prohibits only the Sacred Mosque, the general rule regarding other mosques remains subject to scholarly interpretation.
① Scholars of Madinah:
They maintained that every polytheist is prohibited from entering any mosque.
② Imam al-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله:
Allowed entry into mosques other than al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, when there is a valid necessity.
③ Imam Abū Ḥanīfah رحمه الله:
Held the same view as al-Shāfiʿī — entry is permissible when necessary — and even allowed dhimmīs (non-Muslims under Muslim rule) to enter without necessity.
④ Qatādah رحمه الله:
Permitted entry of dhimmīs into mosques, but forbade polytheists from entering.
[See: Tafsīr Fatḥ al-Qadīr 2/424; Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 2/767]
The most correct opinion is that of Imam al-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله —
It is permissible for non-Muslims to enter mosques other than al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, particularly in cases of necessity (such as diplomatic meetings, trade, or dialogue).
① The Prophet ﷺ detained Thumāmah bin Uthāl — while he was still a disbeliever — tied to a pillar inside the mosque.
[Sahih al-Bukhārī: 462, 2422; Sahih Muslim: 1764]
② The delegation of Thaqīf was hosted inside the mosque by the Prophet ﷺ.
[Abu Dawud: 9631, Kitāb al-Kharāj: Bāb mā jāʾa fī khabar al-Ṭāʾif]
③ Numerous delegations of disbelievers came to meet the Prophet ﷺ in al-Masjid al-Nabawī itself — which is, after al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, the most virtuous mosque.
[Tafsīr Fatḥ al-Qadīr 2/424; Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 2/767]
Imām al-Nawawī explains:
Their proof is the same verse:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا … [At-Tawbah: 28]
[Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim by al-Nawawī 6/105; Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī 5/222; Subul as-Salām 4/1792]
Summary
◈ Entry into al-Masjid al-Ḥarām: Absolutely prohibited for all non-Muslims.
◈ Entry into other mosques: Permissible when there is a legitimate need (for example, learning, observation, or delegation purposes).
◈ Unnecessary entry: Discouraged but not explicitly forbidden by Qur’anic text.
◈ Legal basis: Supported by prophetic practice — particularly the detention of Thumāmah bin Uthāl and hosting of Thaqīf and other delegations within al-Masjid al-Nabawī.
Entry of Disbelievers and Polytheists into al-Masjid al-Ḥarām
Non-Muslims — particularly polytheists — are strictly prohibited from entering the Sanctuary (Ḥaram), and especially al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, for any purpose whatsoever.
Evidence from the Qur’an
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَٰذَا ۚ وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ
[Surah At-Tawbah: 28]
“O you who believe! Indeed, the polytheists are impure, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Ḥarām after this year. And if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you from His bounty.”
Thus, after the revelation of this verse, no disbeliever or polytheist may enter the Sacred Mosque under any circumstance.
Entry of Polytheists into Other Mosques
As for mosques other than al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, the scholars have differed on whether polytheists or disbelievers may enter — particularly in cases of necessity or public interest.
Since the above verse explicitly prohibits only the Sacred Mosque, the general rule regarding other mosques remains subject to scholarly interpretation.
Classical Juristic Opinions
① Scholars of Madinah:
They maintained that every polytheist is prohibited from entering any mosque.
② Imam al-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله:
Allowed entry into mosques other than al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, when there is a valid necessity.
③ Imam Abū Ḥanīfah رحمه الله:
Held the same view as al-Shāfiʿī — entry is permissible when necessary — and even allowed dhimmīs (non-Muslims under Muslim rule) to enter without necessity.
④ Qatādah رحمه الله:
Permitted entry of dhimmīs into mosques, but forbade polytheists from entering.
[See: Tafsīr Fatḥ al-Qadīr 2/424; Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 2/767]Preferred (Rājiḥ) View
The most correct opinion is that of Imam al-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله —
It is permissible for non-Muslims to enter mosques other than al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, particularly in cases of necessity (such as diplomatic meetings, trade, or dialogue).
Evidences for the Preferred View
① The Prophet ﷺ detained Thumāmah bin Uthāl — while he was still a disbeliever — tied to a pillar inside the mosque.
[Sahih al-Bukhārī: 462, 2422; Sahih Muslim: 1764]② The delegation of Thaqīf was hosted inside the mosque by the Prophet ﷺ.
[Abu Dawud: 9631, Kitāb al-Kharāj: Bāb mā jāʾa fī khabar al-Ṭāʾif]③ Numerous delegations of disbelievers came to meet the Prophet ﷺ in al-Masjid al-Nabawī itself — which is, after al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, the most virtuous mosque.
[Tafsīr Fatḥ al-Qadīr 2/424; Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 2/767]Supplementary Notes from Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله
Imām al-Nawawī explains:
- If disbelievers are passing through Ḥijāz in travel, they are not to be prevented — provided their stay does not exceed three days.
- However, they may not enter Makkah or its Sanctuary under any condition.
- If they enter secretly, it becomes obligatory to expel them.
- If they die and are buried therein, their body must be exhumed and removed (unless decomposition has occurred).
Their proof is the same verse:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا … [At-Tawbah: 28]
[Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim by al-Nawawī 6/105; Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī 5/222; Subul as-Salām 4/1792] Summary◈ Entry into al-Masjid al-Ḥarām: Absolutely prohibited for all non-Muslims.
◈ Entry into other mosques: Permissible when there is a legitimate need (for example, learning, observation, or delegation purposes).
◈ Unnecessary entry: Discouraged but not explicitly forbidden by Qur’anic text.
◈ Legal basis: Supported by prophetic practice — particularly the detention of Thumāmah bin Uthāl and hosting of Thaqīf and other delegations within al-Masjid al-Nabawī.
