Shar‘i Ruling on Chip Flooring in Mosques and the Principle of Avoiding Extravagance

Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Masajid ka Bayan, vol. 1, p. 99

Qur’anic Guidance​

Allah ﷻ says:


﴿إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ﴾
"Indeed, Allah does not love those who are extravagant." (al-An‘am: 141)


﴿إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ﴾
"Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils." (al-Isra’: 27)

Prophetic Guidance​

Hadiths mention the disapproval of excessive decoration of mosques. The Prophet ﷺ once removed a patterned cloth from prayer because its designs distracted him during salah.
This indicates that any feature in the mosque—whether in the floor, walls, or décor—that distracts worshippers should be avoided.

Ruling on Chip Flooring​

What is chip flooring?
It is made from cement and gravel but includes small colored stones to make it look more decorative. Structurally, it is not different from a standard cement floor.


Shar‘i perspective:

• If the flooring does not distract worshippers and is made purely for durability and cleanliness, it is permissible.
• The concern arises when it becomes a form of unnecessary beautification or extravagance, going beyond the purpose of building a functional mosque.

Views Regarding Cost and Necessity​

1. Permissibility with durability – Some argue chip flooring is acceptable because it lasts longer.
2. Preference for simpler options – Others say alternatives like:
   
   • Plain mud flooring
   • Brick flooring
   • Standard cement-gravel flooring
     are cheaper and sufficiently strong, making them better to avoid unnecessary costs.

Conclusion​

❀ If chip flooring is done solely for durability and cleanliness and lacks distracting designs, it is not haram.
❀ However, it is better to adopt simplicity and avoid unnecessary expense, in line with the Qur’anic instruction to avoid extravagance.
❀ The Prophet ﷺ’s example teaches us to prioritize humility, simplicity, and focus in worship over decoration.


هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَالله أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب