Building on a mosque for investment purposes
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Fatwa number ( 21335 )
Q: We wish to apply to purchase a plot of land in my name, as I will contribute to its price. Some men of good and generosity will also contribute to its purchase. It is a small plot, with an area of approximately (150m²), one hundred and fifty square meters. We will, if Allah wills, build a two-story mosque; the first floor for men, and the second floor as a prayer hall for women. It is located in an area with popular housing, schools, and other houses, and the number of mosques there can be increased, as it is situated on a main road approximately (15 meters) away, and another secondary road (7.30 meters) away. Is it permissible, O honorable Shaykh, to build additional floors above the two floors of the mosque and benefit from them for residence and renting them out as apartments , since the boundaries of the mosque are only two floors? However, if I wanted to build three or four additional floors above them specifically as apartments to rent out, knowing that the plot of land will be in my name, and some benefactors may donate the remaining costs for purchasing the land and building the mosque. Such mosques are widespread in many countries, such as Egypt and Sudan and others. Is this permissible? We ask you to issue a ruling for us. May Allah reward you with all good.
A: The land purchased to build a mosque on it becomes an endowment for the mosque, and its air space is subordinate to it. It is not permissible to build on it for investment purposes, but rather
another floor or more is built on it for prayer if the lower level becomes crowded. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We wish to apply to purchase a plot of land in my name, as I will contribute to its price. Some men of good and generosity will also contribute to its purchase. It is a small plot, with an area of approximately (150m²), one hundred and fifty square meters. We will, if Allah wills, build a two-story mosque; the first floor for men, and the second floor as a prayer hall for women. It is located in an area with popular housing, schools, and other houses, and the number of mosques there can be increased, as it is situated on a main road approximately (15 meters) away, and another secondary road (7.30 meters) away. Is it permissible, O honorable Shaykh, to build additional floors above the two floors of the mosque and benefit from them for residence and renting them out as apartments , since the boundaries of the mosque are only two floors? However, if I wanted to build three or four additional floors above them specifically as apartments to rent out, knowing that the plot of land will be in my name, and some benefactors may donate the remaining costs for purchasing the land and building the mosque. Such mosques are widespread in many countries, such as Egypt and Sudan and others. Is this permissible? We ask you to issue a ruling for us. May Allah reward you with all good.
A: The land purchased to build a mosque on it becomes an endowment for the mosque, and its air space is subordinate to it. It is not permissible to build on it for investment purposes, but rather
another floor or more is built on it for prayer if the lower level becomes crowded. 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.