What is the ruling on entering a church to see the historical sites?

The questioner : As for the ruling on entering a church from the perspective of seeing the historical sites, and so on?

The Shaykh : If one enters once or twice, solely for this purpose, there is no harm. However, if one makes it a sort of habit, it is not permissible. This is because it is not permissible to participate with those people in the places of disbelief where they associate partners with Allah (Mighty and Majestic) day and night. So, if one enters it once or twice and achieves the intended purpose of viewing, he should not repeat it after that.

The questioner : Is it the same whether they are worshipping in it or not?

The Shaykh : You mean abandoned, meaning they are not in the state of performing worship? That is what you mean? There is no doubt that entering it in that state is more severe than entering it when there is no one in it in that state who associates partners with Allah. However, the entire structure is built upon this shirk (associating partners with Allah).

The questioner : Which is milder, the abandoned one or the non-abandoned one, O our Shaykh?

The Shaykh : The abandoned one is milder, meaning old historical sites.

The questioner : In that case, O His Eminence,The Shaykh : Is it permissible to visit museums?

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Such as the pyramids and others?

The Shaykh : It is permissible.

The questioner : But for the sake of admonition, not like this?

The Shaykh : For the sake of admonition, lesson, and viewing, in the context of:
I knew evil not for evil, but to avoid it, *** And whoever does not know evil from good falls into it.