❖ Ruling on Mosque Ownership and Multiple Congregational Prayers
Derived from: “Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 02❖ Question
If a mosque is built by a ruler or any individual who follows a particular school of thought (madhhab), does that mosque remain in the ownership of the person who built it? And is every Muslim entitled to perform prayer in that mosque independently, in accordance with the Shari‘ah? Also, is it permissible to hold multiple congregational prayers in the same mosque at the same time?❖ Answer
① Ownership of the Mosque:Once a mosque is constructed for the sake of Allah and designated as a mosque, it no longer remains the property of the one who built it, regardless of whether the builder was a king or any other individual. It becomes waqf (endowment) for the Muslims and is to be maintained as a sacred and communal place of worship.
② Right of All Muslims to Pray:
Every Muslim is entitled to offer their prayers in that mosque, regardless of their background or school of thought. They may do so in accordance with Shari‘ah, and there is no exclusivity or restriction on who may pray therein.
③ Multiple Congregations:
While multiple Muslims may wish to offer prayer:
- It is permissible for all to pray at the same time in a single congregation.
- However, it is not permissible to establish two congregational prayers (jamaaʿah) simultaneously within the same mosque for the same obligatory prayer.
“In one moment, two separate congregations for the same prayer should not be held in the same mosque.”
(Referenced from: Ahl-e-Hadith Sohadra, Volume 8, Issue No. 38)
