How to build a mosque and the ruling on raising it above the level of need

The questioner:
Shaykh, what is the truth regarding building a mosque? Do you open its doors or close them? Yes. Yes. In a mosque, you do not leave it so that the sky is in a day…

The Shaykh:
The manner of building mosques varies according to the times, in each time according to its circumstances, without extravagance. In the past, mosques were built from stone, clay, and wood according to what was possible. In our current time, mosques are built from reinforced concrete. There is nothing wrong with that. The construction is according to the times. But without decoration. Without extravagance. And without exceeding the need.
This is what is required. As for building in a manner that corresponds to the time, that is required. It is recommended now that you build a mosque from clay? It is recommended in our time unless the entire town is of this type. Or do you say, "I am doing what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did, building a mosque from stone and palm trunks"? Do you want to build a mosque now from palm trunks and date palm branches, because that was what was available in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? When Allah expanded the means of the Muslims after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), they built the Prophet’s Mosque and others in a manner corresponding to the time.

The questioner:
Any matter that is greater than the rest is an increase in false morals.

The Shaykh:
The first answer says: It is not permissible to raise mosques above the level of need for the sake of showing off. This is not permissible. Yes. Or is it disliked? It is disliked, a dislikedness of disapproval (makruh tanzihi). Yes. There is nothing wrong with the need. If there is a need to hang curtains on the windows to prevent the sun’s rays from reaching the one praying, there is nothing wrong with that.