What is the ruling on praying and reciting the Qur'an in a mosque that contains graves, given that the room containing the graves is at the back of the mosque and sealed with cement?
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The questioner : A questioner asks, “O honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on praying and reciting the Qur'an in a mosque that contains graves, given that the room containing the graves is at the back of the mosque and sealed with cement?”
The Shaykh : I say that if the mosque was built on top of the grave, then the prayer in it is invalid and it must be demolished. However, if the mosque existed previously and a grave was placed in it, then it is obligatory to dig it up and remove it to the cemetery. If that is not possible, we look at the situation: if the grave is in the qiblah of the mosque, then the prayer in it is invalid. But if it is behind the qiblah, or to its right, or to its left, then the prayer in it is valid. Yes.
The Shaykh : I say that if the mosque was built on top of the grave, then the prayer in it is invalid and it must be demolished. However, if the mosque existed previously and a grave was placed in it, then it is obligatory to dig it up and remove it to the cemetery. If that is not possible, we look at the situation: if the grave is in the qiblah of the mosque, then the prayer in it is invalid. But if it is behind the qiblah, or to its right, or to its left, then the prayer in it is valid. Yes.