It appears the author leans toward the view that mihrabs are merely disliked, but does the statement of one who says they are a religious innovation and that the default ruling for acts of worship is to refrain from them hold any validity?

The questioner : May Allah reward you. It appears the author means that he leans toward the view that mihrabs are merely disliked.

The Shaykh : What?

The questioner : It appears the author leans toward the view that mihrabs are merely disliked, because he cited the dislike of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him). However, some scholars say that they are a religious innovation. Does their statement hold any validity? This is because it is a characteristic of worship, and this is a matter of divine legislation. If it had been good, our predecessors would have preceded us in it. Does this hold?

The Shaykh : No, it does not hold. In reality, this is a means to knowing the direction of prayer. Were it not for these mihrabs, the direction of prayer would not be known. The prohibition against making altars is qualified. He said: So, if we were to make this mihrab in the shape of the mihrabs of churches, this would be forbidden, without a doubt.