Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Volume 09
By: Muḥammad Yūnus – Madrasah Miyān Ṣāḥib, Delhi (Ahl-e-Ḥadīth Gazette, Vol. 9, Issue No. 15)
Is it permissible in Islamic Sharīʿah to collect donations from Hindus or Christians for the construction of a mosque? Can such contributions be lawfully used for this purpose?
It is impermissible to construct a mosque using money from disbelievers or polytheists. Their wealth cannot be used for this purpose under Islamic law.
Allah Taʿālā says:
﴿مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا مَسَاجِدَ اللَّـهِ شَاهِدِينَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِم بِالْكُفْرِ ۚ﴾
“It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah while they bear witness against themselves with disbelief.”
(Surah al-Tawbah, 9:17)
This verse clearly prohibits any participation of non-believers in the building or maintenance of mosques, as long as they remain in a state of kufr (disbelief).
It was argued that:
➤ The Kaʿbah was rebuilt by the Quraysh (idolaters) during the Prophet’s ﷺ youth,
➤ And the Prophet ﷺ continued to perform ṭawāf and ṣalāh in it,
➤ Hence, it is claimed that this validates the use of disbelievers’ money for mosques.
This claim is refuted based on the following:
① The rebuilding of the Kaʿbah occurred before Prophethood, and before the revelation of Islamic injunctions.
② The prohibition came later with the revelation of Surah al-Tawbah, clearly forbidding polytheists from maintaining or constructing mosques.
This is similar to other matters (like nikāḥ and sales) which were allowed to continue from pre-Islamic times under Islam’s legal framework once it was established.
Imām Nadhīr Ḥusayn Dehlawī wrote in Fatāwā Nadhīriyyah:
“A mosque constructed by a disbeliever does not retain the ruling of a masjid.”
Using money from Hindus, Christians, or any non-Muslims for building or maintaining mosques is not permissible.
Donations must be sought from Muslims only, and the funding must be ḥalāl and pure, in accordance with the sanctity of Allah’s House.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct.
By: Muḥammad Yūnus – Madrasah Miyān Ṣāḥib, Delhi (Ahl-e-Ḥadīth Gazette, Vol. 9, Issue No. 15)
❖ Question:
Is it permissible in Islamic Sharīʿah to collect donations from Hindus or Christians for the construction of a mosque? Can such contributions be lawfully used for this purpose?
❖ Answer:
It is impermissible to construct a mosque using money from disbelievers or polytheists. Their wealth cannot be used for this purpose under Islamic law.
Allah Taʿālā says:
﴿مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا مَسَاجِدَ اللَّـهِ شَاهِدِينَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِم بِالْكُفْرِ ۚ﴾
“It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah while they bear witness against themselves with disbelief.”
(Surah al-Tawbah, 9:17)
This verse clearly prohibits any participation of non-believers in the building or maintenance of mosques, as long as they remain in a state of kufr (disbelief).
◈ Response to an Opposing View:
It was argued that:
➤ The Kaʿbah was rebuilt by the Quraysh (idolaters) during the Prophet’s ﷺ youth,
➤ And the Prophet ﷺ continued to perform ṭawāf and ṣalāh in it,
➤ Hence, it is claimed that this validates the use of disbelievers’ money for mosques.
❖ Scholarly Rebuttal:
This claim is refuted based on the following:
① The rebuilding of the Kaʿbah occurred before Prophethood, and before the revelation of Islamic injunctions.
② The prohibition came later with the revelation of Surah al-Tawbah, clearly forbidding polytheists from maintaining or constructing mosques.
This is similar to other matters (like nikāḥ and sales) which were allowed to continue from pre-Islamic times under Islam’s legal framework once it was established.❖ Additional Scholarly Opinion:
Imām Nadhīr Ḥusayn Dehlawī wrote in Fatāwā Nadhīriyyah:
“A mosque constructed by a disbeliever does not retain the ruling of a masjid.”
❖ Conclusion:
Using money from Hindus, Christians, or any non-Muslims for building or maintaining mosques is not permissible.
Donations must be sought from Muslims only, and the funding must be ḥalāl and pure, in accordance with the sanctity of Allah’s House.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct.
