Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman A'zami (رحمه الله)
It is not permissible for any disbeliever—including Jews, Christians, idol worshippers, atheists, and communists—to enter Masjid al-Haram. This prohibition is based on the command of Allah ﷻ:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَٰذَا
“O you who believe! Indeed, the polytheists are impure, so let them not approach Al-Masjid Al-Haram after this year.”
[Surah At-Tawbah: 28]
Thus, Allah ﷻ has clearly forbidden their entry into Masjid al-Haram. The term “polytheists” (mushrikūn) includes Jews and Christians, as well as other disbelievers. Therefore, no polytheist is allowed to enter Masjid al-Haram, whether a Jew, Christian, or any other kind of disbeliever. The sanctity of Masjid al-Haram is exclusively for Muslims.
As for other mosques, including those in Madinah, it is permissible for non-Muslims to enter under certain conditions of benefit and necessity. While Madinah holds a unique status, in this matter its mosques are treated like other mosques.
The Prophet ﷺ allowed:
✔ A disbeliever to be tied inside Masjid al-Nabawi
✔ The delegation of Thaqif to remain inside the mosque before embracing Islam
✔ A delegation of Christians to enter the Prophet’s Mosque
These actions serve as clear evidence that entry of disbelievers into Masjid al-Nabawi is permissible, and by extension, they may also enter other mosques when necessary.
Permissible reasons for entry may include:
✔ Asking questions
✔ Attending an educational session
✔ Embracing Islam or expressing interest in it
✔ Any other valid purpose
If a legitimate benefit or necessity exists, then it is permissible for a non-Muslim to enter a mosque. However, if no benefit is anticipated, then they should not be allowed. If there is a risk that they may cause damage to mosque property or spread filth, then they must be prohibited from entering.
[Ibn Bāz, Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā wa al-Maqālāt: 1/380]
❖ Entry of Non-Muslims into Mosques
It is not permissible for any disbeliever—including Jews, Christians, idol worshippers, atheists, and communists—to enter Masjid al-Haram. This prohibition is based on the command of Allah ﷻ:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَٰذَا
“O you who believe! Indeed, the polytheists are impure, so let them not approach Al-Masjid Al-Haram after this year.”
[Surah At-Tawbah: 28]
Thus, Allah ﷻ has clearly forbidden their entry into Masjid al-Haram. The term “polytheists” (mushrikūn) includes Jews and Christians, as well as other disbelievers. Therefore, no polytheist is allowed to enter Masjid al-Haram, whether a Jew, Christian, or any other kind of disbeliever. The sanctity of Masjid al-Haram is exclusively for Muslims.
❀ Entry into Other Mosques
As for other mosques, including those in Madinah, it is permissible for non-Muslims to enter under certain conditions of benefit and necessity. While Madinah holds a unique status, in this matter its mosques are treated like other mosques.
The Prophet ﷺ allowed:
✔ A disbeliever to be tied inside Masjid al-Nabawi
✔ The delegation of Thaqif to remain inside the mosque before embracing Islam
✔ A delegation of Christians to enter the Prophet’s Mosque
These actions serve as clear evidence that entry of disbelievers into Masjid al-Nabawi is permissible, and by extension, they may also enter other mosques when necessary.
Permissible reasons for entry may include:
✔ Asking questions
✔ Attending an educational session
✔ Embracing Islam or expressing interest in it
✔ Any other valid purpose
✔ Conclusion
If a legitimate benefit or necessity exists, then it is permissible for a non-Muslim to enter a mosque. However, if no benefit is anticipated, then they should not be allowed. If there is a risk that they may cause damage to mosque property or spread filth, then they must be prohibited from entering.
[Ibn Bāz, Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā wa al-Maqālāt: 1/380]
