Displaying pamphlets and advertisements in the mosque
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Fatwa number ( 19694 )
Q: At the beginning of every school term, the administrators of private schools become active in advertising to the community through various means. One of these means is distributing promotional pamphlets that outline the school’s programs, the benefits of enrolling, and the tuition fees. There is competition in this matter, and a keenness to reach the largest number of people, to the point that some of them distribute these pamphlets inside mosques, both congregational and non-congregational. They place them on the shelves designated for Qur’ans, on the notice boards inside the mosques, or near the mosque doors from the inside. What is the ruling on such an action, and what do you advise those who find some of these pamphlets inside the mosques?
A: It is not permissible to use the mosque as a venue for displaying brochures and commercial advertisements, whether for schools or institutions
commercial or otherwise; for mosques were built for the worship of Allah, such as prayer, dhikr, learning and teaching knowledge, reciting the Qur'an, and other matters of religion. However, using the mosque for what has been mentioned and exploiting the large number of people in it by placing those brochures and advertisements inside the mosque is not permissible, and it has nothing to do with religion. One should keep the mosque free from such things, respect its sanctity, and strive to not occupy people with things that distract them from the worship of Allah or disturb them in their prayers. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Jinn 72:18], and it is established from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1321Sahih (Darussalam) Narrated by al-Nasa'i and al-Tirmidhi , who graded it as hasan. And displaying these advertisements is a form of trade. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: At the beginning of every school term, the administrators of private schools become active in advertising to the community through various means. One of these means is distributing promotional pamphlets that outline the school’s programs, the benefits of enrolling, and the tuition fees. There is competition in this matter, and a keenness to reach the largest number of people, to the point that some of them distribute these pamphlets inside mosques, both congregational and non-congregational. They place them on the shelves designated for Qur’ans, on the notice boards inside the mosques, or near the mosque doors from the inside. What is the ruling on such an action, and what do you advise those who find some of these pamphlets inside the mosques?
A: It is not permissible to use the mosque as a venue for displaying brochures and commercial advertisements, whether for schools or institutions
commercial or otherwise; for mosques were built for the worship of Allah, such as prayer, dhikr, learning and teaching knowledge, reciting the Qur'an, and other matters of religion. However, using the mosque for what has been mentioned and exploiting the large number of people in it by placing those brochures and advertisements inside the mosque is not permissible, and it has nothing to do with religion. One should keep the mosque free from such things, respect its sanctity, and strive to not occupy people with things that distract them from the worship of Allah or disturb them in their prayers. Allah the Exalted said:
And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.
وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًاWhen you see someone selling or buying in the Masjid then say: 'May Allah not profit your business.'
إذا رأيتم من يبيع أو يبتاع في المسجد فقولوا: لا أربح الله تجارتك
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.