Is it permissible to pray in a mosque that contains a grave, given that there is no other mosque in the village?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. The questioner says: There is a mosque in my village, and it contains a grave, and there is no other mosque in the village. Is it permissible to pray in it, especially the Friday prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, we say: As for a mosque that contains a grave, one must ask whether the mosque was built over the grave or whether the mosque was built before the grave. If the mosque was built before the grave, then it is obligatory to dig up this grave and remove the deceased, and he should be buried with the people; this is the obligation. But if it is assumed that the people of the town insist on its remaining, then there is no harm in praying in the mosque, because the grave is a later addition to the mosque. So we pray in the mosque on the condition that the grave is not in front of the worshippers. If it is in front of them, you have just heard that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: As for if the grave was there first and the mosque was built over it, then the prayer in this mosque is not valid, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the Jews and the Christians: Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Until when? It is necessary.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : There is no hardship on you. Now, thirty-seven, eight, and thirty-seven. Good.
The Shaykh : Yes, we say: As for a mosque that contains a grave, one must ask whether the mosque was built over the grave or whether the mosque was built before the grave. If the mosque was built before the grave, then it is obligatory to dig up this grave and remove the deceased, and he should be buried with the people; this is the obligation. But if it is assumed that the people of the town insist on its remaining, then there is no harm in praying in the mosque, because the grave is a later addition to the mosque. So we pray in the mosque on the condition that the grave is not in front of the worshippers. If it is in front of them, you have just heard that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Do not pray facing graves
لا تصلوا إلى قبورThey, when a righteous man dies among them, or he said, a righteous servant, they build a mosque over his grave. Those are the worst of creation in the sight of Allah
إنهم إذا مات فيهم الرجل الصالح أو قال العبد الصالح بنوا على قبره مسجدا أولئك شرار الخلق عند اللهThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Until when? It is necessary.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : There is no hardship on you. Now, thirty-seven, eight, and thirty-seven. Good.