The ruling on calling out for lost items in the mosque
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Question:
The questioner: A man from Sudan asks: There is a loudspeaker in our village. Is it permissible to use it to announce the loss of a valuable item, a domestic animal, a missing young child, or the like? Or does this fall under the noble hadith which means: “Whoever announces the loss of a lost item in the mosque, say: May Allah not return it to you?” And does this extend to the case where a paper is posted on the door or wall of the mosque announcing the loss, without speaking about it verbally?
Answer:
Announcing lost items through loudspeakers in the mosque is not permissible, even if the intention is for good and benefit. As long as it is in the mosque, it is not permissible; due to the generality of the hadith, which is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):Mishkat al-Masabih 706 This is an authentic hadith. And because mosques were not built for this. Likewise, the hadith Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1321Sahih (Darussalam) So mosques were not built for selling or buying or announcing lost items, but rather they were built for the worship of Allah and obedience to Him. However, if the loudspeaker is outside the mosque, in a house or elsewhere, there is no harm in that.
As for writing that on a paper, if it is on the exterior wall of the mosque, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is on the interior, it is not permissible; because it resembles speech; and because it may occupy people with reviewing and reading the paper. And success is from Allah.
The questioner: A man from Sudan asks: There is a loudspeaker in our village. Is it permissible to use it to announce the loss of a valuable item, a domestic animal, a missing young child, or the like? Or does this fall under the noble hadith which means: “Whoever announces the loss of a lost item in the mosque, say: May Allah not return it to you?” And does this extend to the case where a paper is posted on the door or wall of the mosque announcing the loss, without speaking about it verbally?
Answer:
Announcing lost items through loudspeakers in the mosque is not permissible, even if the intention is for good and benefit. As long as it is in the mosque, it is not permissible; due to the generality of the hadith, which is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
If anyone hears a man crying out in the mosque about something he has lost, he should say, ‘May God not restore it to you,’
من سمع رجلًا ينشد ضالته في المسجد فليقل: لا ردها الله عليكWhen you see someone selling or buying in the Masjid then say: 'May Allah not profit your business.'
إذا رأيتم من يبيع أو يبتاع في المسجد فقولوا: لا أربح الله تجارتكAs for writing that on a paper, if it is on the exterior wall of the mosque, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is on the interior, it is not permissible; because it resembles speech; and because it may occupy people with reviewing and reading the paper. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.