What is the ruling on praying in decorated mosques, and does the term "decoration" refer to images and statues?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy.
The Shaykh : And upon you peace and the mercy of Allah
The questioner : Regarding the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he mentioned the mosques, he said:Mishkat al-Masabih 718.
So, does the term "decoration" refer to images and statues? And if they are decorated with images, is it permissible to pray in them?
The Shaykh : This hadith is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) as his own statement. If that is the case, then by "decoration" is meant decoration, specifically decoration similar to the decoration of the Jews and the Christians.
As for decoration that does not distract the worshipper, but rather adds to the comfort of the mosque, providing coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter, there is nothing wrong with it.
However, one must not exaggerate in this, as some people do now. You find them placing decorations and engravings on the mihrab that distract the worshipper or that cost a great deal of money. Yes.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh
The Shaykh : As for images, it is not permissible at all to place any image in the mosques, neither an image of a human being nor an image of an animal. Yes.
The Shaykh : And upon you peace and the mercy of Allah
The questioner : Regarding the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he mentioned the mosques, he said:
You* will certainly ornament them as the Jews and Christians did.
لتزخرفنها كما زخرفت اليهود والنصارىSo, does the term "decoration" refer to images and statues? And if they are decorated with images, is it permissible to pray in them?
The Shaykh : This hadith is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) as his own statement. If that is the case, then by "decoration" is meant decoration, specifically decoration similar to the decoration of the Jews and the Christians.
As for decoration that does not distract the worshipper, but rather adds to the comfort of the mosque, providing coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter, there is nothing wrong with it.
However, one must not exaggerate in this, as some people do now. You find them placing decorations and engravings on the mihrab that distract the worshipper or that cost a great deal of money. Yes.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh
The Shaykh : As for images, it is not permissible at all to place any image in the mosques, neither an image of a human being nor an image of an animal. Yes.