Ruling on Constructing a Mihrab in the Mosque and Leading Prayer from It
Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur'an and Hadith, Volume 02
However, the mihrabs that are constructed in Islamic mosques today find their basis in a marfu‘ hadith reported by al-Ṭabarānī. Therefore, issuing a fatwa declaring them impermissible is, in my view, incorrect.
Imam Abu al-Ṭayyib Shams al-Ḥaqq al-Diyānvī رحمه الله writes in his renowned commentary ‘Awn al-Ma‘būd Sharḥ Abī Dāwūd, Volume 1, page 180:
قال الشيخ ابن الهمام من ساداة الحنفية ولا يخفي ان امتياز الإمام مقرر مطلوب فى الشرع فى حق المكان حتي كان التقديم واجباً عليه وبني فى المساجد المحاريب من لدن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم انتهيٰ. وأيضاً لا يكره الصلوٰة فى المحاريب ومن ذهب إلى الكراهية فعليه البينة ولا يسمع كلام أحد من غير بيته ولا دليل
Translation:
Shaykh Ibn al-Humām, one of the eminent scholars of the Ḥanafī school, stated that the Imam’s position in the mosque should be distinct, so that he may stand ahead of the congregation. Mihrabs have been constructed in mosques since the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Also, there is no dislike in offering prayer in mihrabs. Whoever claims that it is disliked must provide Shar‘ī evidence; a statement without proof is not admissible.
(Compiled by: Ahmadullah Dehlawi, Ahl-e-Hadith Gazette, Delhi, Volume 9, Issue 1)
Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur'an and Hadith, Volume 02
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to construct a mihrab in mosques? If the Imam leads prayer while standing in the mihrab, will the prayer be considered disliked (makruh) or permissible?❖ Answer:
In certain narrations, it is prohibited to construct mihrabs similar to those of the People of the Book. Their mihrabs were like chambers or platforms built on one side of their places of worship. Such mihrabs should not be built in mosques.However, the mihrabs that are constructed in Islamic mosques today find their basis in a marfu‘ hadith reported by al-Ṭabarānī. Therefore, issuing a fatwa declaring them impermissible is, in my view, incorrect.
Imam Abu al-Ṭayyib Shams al-Ḥaqq al-Diyānvī رحمه الله writes in his renowned commentary ‘Awn al-Ma‘būd Sharḥ Abī Dāwūd, Volume 1, page 180:
قال الشيخ ابن الهمام من ساداة الحنفية ولا يخفي ان امتياز الإمام مقرر مطلوب فى الشرع فى حق المكان حتي كان التقديم واجباً عليه وبني فى المساجد المحاريب من لدن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم انتهيٰ. وأيضاً لا يكره الصلوٰة فى المحاريب ومن ذهب إلى الكراهية فعليه البينة ولا يسمع كلام أحد من غير بيته ولا دليل
Translation:
Shaykh Ibn al-Humām, one of the eminent scholars of the Ḥanafī school, stated that the Imam’s position in the mosque should be distinct, so that he may stand ahead of the congregation. Mihrabs have been constructed in mosques since the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Also, there is no dislike in offering prayer in mihrabs. Whoever claims that it is disliked must provide Shar‘ī evidence; a statement without proof is not admissible.
(Compiled by: Ahmadullah Dehlawi, Ahl-e-Hadith Gazette, Delhi, Volume 9, Issue 1)
