Inviting the worshippers to eat in the mosque
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Fatwa number ( 20729 )
Q: I have heard and observed among the people of Hijr that some people invite others to coffee and feasts in the mosques, knowing that the coffee and food are in their homes and are not charity placed in the mosque. Their invitation is made with a loud voice in the mosque, which distracts the worshippers from their khushu' (humility) in their prayer, and they have made this invitation a habit. As for what is in their hearts, Allah knows it. When I noticed these invitations, I advised some of them privately, in accordance with the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Jinn 72:18] and the hadith of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) when one of the people asked about a lost item in the mosque, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade him and said to his companions: “If anyone asks about a lost item in the mosque, say to him: May Allah not return it to him, for the mosques were not built for that,” or as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said. This, O Shaykh, is more important than inviting people to coffee and food in the mosques. Their response to my advice was that, to the best of their knowledge, there is nothing wrong with this matter.
A: There is no objection to inviting those present in the mosque to have lunch or dinner, and this does not conflict with the etiquette of the mosque, nor is it like the recitation of lost poetry which is prohibited.
Rather, there is benefit in it in terms of fostering affection and establishing love among the congregation of the mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was once invited to food while he was in the mosque, and he accepted. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I have heard and observed among the people of Hijr that some people invite others to coffee and feasts in the mosques, knowing that the coffee and food are in their homes and are not charity placed in the mosque. Their invitation is made with a loud voice in the mosque, which distracts the worshippers from their khushu' (humility) in their prayer, and they have made this invitation a habit. As for what is in their hearts, Allah knows it. When I noticed these invitations, I advised some of them privately, in accordance with the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.
وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًاA: There is no objection to inviting those present in the mosque to have lunch or dinner, and this does not conflict with the etiquette of the mosque, nor is it like the recitation of lost poetry which is prohibited.
Rather, there is benefit in it in terms of fostering affection and establishing love among the congregation of the mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was once invited to food while he was in the mosque, and he accepted. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.