Building a church or helping in doing so

14-8-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible for a Muslim to build a church?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. It is not permitted for a Muslim to build or maintain a church or even help in doing so. This act is considered as cooperating in establishing what is forbidden in Shariah. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.}[5:2]. Imam al-Subki said: It is also forbidden for non-Muslims to build or repair a church because no true religion had ever approved building the places of Kufr (disbelief). All the Devine laws are agreed that Kufr was never allowed. Since Kufr was not allowed it means that building the places of Kufr was also forbidden. In fact, at present, churches are not built but only for committing Kufr. Therefore, building them or repairing them is forbidden . Subki also said: If one makes a will for building a church his will becomes null. There is no difference whether the will was made by a Muslim or a non-Muslim . In brief, building, rebuilding, or repairing a church are forbidden for both the Muslim and the non-Muslim. Allah knows best.