Source: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur'an and Hadith", Volume 02
Some narrations prohibit mihrabs absolutely, while others specifically prohibit mihrabs that resemble the mihrabs of Christians. The general (absolute) narrations will be understood in light of the specific ones, meaning that those mihrabs which resemble the Christian church mihrabs are considered disliked and prohibited, in order to avoid resembling the People of the Book.
Therefore, if the mihrabs in our mosques resemble those of Christian churches, there is no doubt about their being disliked (makrūh).
In my view, the demand of prudence and caution is to avoid constructing mihrabs in mosques, because it is possible that the current forms of mihrabs resemble those used by Christians during the Prophetic era.
For a detailed discussion, refer to al-Fatḥ al-Rabbānī min Fatāwā al-‘Allāmah al-Shawkānī, Volume 2, Page 202.
✍ Written by: ʿUbaydullāh Raḥmānī Dehlawī
(Source: Muḥaddith Dehlī, Vol. 1, Issue No. 8)
❖ Question:
Is it permissible according to Islamic law to build a mihrab (a hollow niche) in a mosque? Some people consider it contrary to the Sunnah and label it as an innovation (bid‘ah).❖ Answer:
The prohibition regarding constructing a mihrab (a designated hollow area) in a mosque is reported in narrations from Ṭabarānī, Bayhaqī, and Ibn Abī Shaybah. Due to the multiple chains of transmission, the Hadith is classified as ḥasan li-ghayrih (acceptable due to supporting evidence).Some narrations prohibit mihrabs absolutely, while others specifically prohibit mihrabs that resemble the mihrabs of Christians. The general (absolute) narrations will be understood in light of the specific ones, meaning that those mihrabs which resemble the Christian church mihrabs are considered disliked and prohibited, in order to avoid resembling the People of the Book.
Therefore, if the mihrabs in our mosques resemble those of Christian churches, there is no doubt about their being disliked (makrūh).
In my view, the demand of prudence and caution is to avoid constructing mihrabs in mosques, because it is possible that the current forms of mihrabs resemble those used by Christians during the Prophetic era.
For a detailed discussion, refer to al-Fatḥ al-Rabbānī min Fatāwā al-‘Allāmah al-Shawkānī, Volume 2, Page 202.
✍ Written by: ʿUbaydullāh Raḥmānī Dehlawī
(Source: Muḥaddith Dehlī, Vol. 1, Issue No. 8)
