If mosques are built on the foundations of some churches, and they may be slightly off from the qiblah, is the prayer in them valid?

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. In some countries, mosques have been built on the foundations of some churches, and they may be slightly off from the qiblah. Is the prayer in them valid?

The Shaykh:
Yes, if they are built on the site of the churches, they become mosques; there is no objection. In fact, if one prays in the church, there is nothing wrong with that. If one prays in the church and it has not been altered, there is nothing wrong with that. This is permissible.

The questioner:
Then he says, may Allah preserve you: Sometimes, when praying in these churches, the imam deviates slightly toward the qiblah, while the ma'mum (those praying behind him) do not. What is the ruling on this action?

The Shaykh:
A slight deviation does no harm, but making a difficult effort is not permissible. Do not make a difficult effort, praise be to Allah. Allah has made things easy for you. Yes.