Non-Muslims entering a Mosque

19-8-1999 | IslamWeb

Question:

We have an islamic center in Napoli and we do - for da'wa - lessons for non-Muslim boys and girls, but some brothers do not agree because, they say, that the non-Muslims can't enter in to a mosque. But to explain Islam to non-Muslims the mosque is the best place. Please explain us the rules about that. If you can answer also in Arabic with a graphic file. Assalamu alaykum wa jazakumullah khayran

---

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.

It is permissible for non-Muslims to enter the mosque, especially if there is an advantage for Da’wah. As regards the saying of Allah (which means): {O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach Al-Masjid Al-Haram after this, their [final] year.} [Quran 9:28]; it means that they should not be enabled to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah as reported in a Hadeeth in which the Prophet sent one Companion with these verses to Makkah to recite them to the non-Muslims; this is the same thing as the saying of Allah (which means): {It is not for them to enter them [mosques] except in fear.}[Quran 2:114]

However, the above verse [Quran 9:28] is not evidence to prevent the non-Muslims from entering mosques as this verse was revealed about the people who dominated the mosques and had power over them, and who were able to prevent the Muslims from entering them as it is mentioned about the reason of the revelation of this verse. In fact, it was revealed about the Christians when they took over Jerusalem and threw rubbish in it. Or that it was revealed about the Quraysh when they prevented the Prophet from performing ‘Umrah in the year of Hudaybiyah (6 A.H). Once, the Prophet tied Thumaamah Ibn Uthaal [a non-Muslim], to one of the pillars of the mosque for three days, and he used to pass by him and tell him: “What do you have to say, o, Thumaamah.” This is evidence that it is permissible for a non-Muslim to enter the mosque. Al-Khattaabi said: “This is evidence that a polytheist is permitted to enter the mosque in case of need. Besides, Abu Daawood reported a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah who said: “The Jews came to the Prophet while he was in the mosque.”

Finally, we would like to draw your attention to separate men from women or fix for each a specific time.

Allah knows best.