Non-Muslims entering Mosque for iftar

25-11-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

In our mosque there is arrangement for iftar during the whole month of ramadan. We have noticed that some non-Muslims, those who worship idols, enter the mosque to eat iftar in the evening. Should we stop them from entering the mosque because we do not know if they are clean or not? Should we allow them to keep coming and have the food?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is a difference of opinion among the scholars concerning non-Muslims entering the mosque, so some of them forbade it because of their disbelief which means that they are on perpetual impurity.

However, many scholars are of the view that it is permissible for a non-Muslim to enter the mosque if there is a preponderant benefit. Their evidence is that the Prophet used to receive and meet to delegations of polytheists in the mosque.

Therefore, if your intention is to invite those idolaters to Islam by your words and actions, clarify to them the good traits of Islam and ward off the misconceptions that many people have about Islam and the Muslims due to the media campaigns led by the enemies of Islam against it, then if this is your intention, it is permissible –Allah willing, to let them enter the mosque and share your food with you. You will be rewarded for doing so –Allah willing –according to the sincerity of your intention.

Allah knows best.