Ruling on a Muslim Entering a Church
What is the ruling on a Muslim entering a church to listen to a lecture that is being given there ? Entering churches for meetings and to listen to lectures is not free of a number of haraam things. The scholars differed concerning the ruling on a Muslim entering a church in the first place. There are a number of opinions: 1 : That it is haraam. This is the view of the Hanafis and Shaafais, but the Shaafais limit the prohibition to churches in which there are images, as it says in Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj (2/424), Nihaayat al-Muhtaaj (2/63) and Haashiyata Qalyoobi wa Umayrah ala Sharh al-Muhalla (4/236). The Hanafis regard it as haraam in all cases, and they gave as their reason the fact that they are abodes of the devils, as the Hanafi Ibn Nujaym said in al-Bahr al-Raa’iq (7/364) and in Haashiyat Ibn Aabideen (2/43). 2 : That it is makrooh. This is the view of the Hanbalis, but some of them limited this to churches in which there are images. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Fataawa al-Kubra (5/327): The view which most of our companions hold is that it is makrooh to enter churches in which there are images, and this is the correct view concerning which there can be no doubt. End quote. See: al-Furoo (5/308), al-Adaab al-Shar’iyyah (3/415) and al-Insaaf (1/496). They quoted the following as evidence: (i) It was narrated from Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that theProphet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw images in the Kaabah and he did not enter until he had ordered that they be erased. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3352). (ii) It was narrated that Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Jibreel promised to come to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) but he was late and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) grew concerned. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out and saw him, and he told him of his concern and he said to him: “We [angels] do not enter a house in which there is an image or a dog.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5960). (iii) It was narrated that Aslam the freed slave of Umar said: When Umar went to Syria, one of the leaders of the Christians made food for him and called him. Umar said: We will not enter your churches because of the images that are in them – meaning the statues. Narrated by Abd al-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf (1/411 and 10/398). 3 – That it is permissible This is the view of the Hanbalis, as it says in al-Mughni (8/113) and al-Insaaf (1/496). It is also the view of Ibn Hazm al-Zaahiri as it says in al-Muhalla (1/400). They quoted the following as evidence: (i) What was narrated about the conditions stipulated by Umar to the people of the Book to expand their churches and monasteries so that the Muslims could enter them to spend the night or pass through them. Al-Mughni (8/113). (ii) Ibn Aaidh narrated in Futooh al-Shaam that when Umar came to Syria, the Christians made food for him and called him, and he said: Where is it? They said: In the church, and he refused to go. He said to Ali: Take the people to eat lunch. So Ali took the people and entered the church, and he and the people ate lunch, and Ali looked at the images and said: What would be wrong if the Ameer al-Mumineen entered this place? Al-Mughni (8/113). By studying the evidence quoted above, it does not seem that there is any clear evidence that it is haraam to enter churches. The fact that there are images and statues in them or any other place does not mean that it is haraam to enter it. The sin is on the makers of the images and those who make the statues; the one who enters a place where those statues are should advise and explain, but he does not have to leave that place. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: With regard to entering a house in which there is an image, it is not haraam. Rather it is permissible to refuse an invitation because of it as a rebuke to the host and to show that he has lost respect because of his introducing something evil into his house. The one who sees it in the hosts house does not have to leave, according to the apparent meaning of Ahmads words. He said, according to the report of al-Fadl: If he sees an image on the curtain that he did not see when he entered, that is less serious than if it was on the wall. It was said: If he did not see it until the food was placed before them, should he leave? He said: Do not make things too difficult for us; but if he sees it he should rebuke them and tell them not to do that. End quote. Al-Mughni (8/113) But at least it is makrooh to enter churches unnecessarily, because the fact that the angels and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not enter the house in which there were images indicates that it is makrooh. Moreover this being makrooh may reach the level of being haraam if entering the church will lead to any bad consequences such as if it means approving of the Christians shirk and their claim that Allaah has a wife and son, exalted be Allaah far above that. Or if entering the church is a sign of taking the Christians as friends and loving them, and so on. It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (2/115): If your going to the church is just to show tolerance and lenience, then it is not permissible, but if it is done to call them to Islam and create opportunities for you to do so, and you will not be taking part in their worship and you are not afraid that you may be influenced by their beliefs or customs, then it is permissible. End quote. http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=111832&ln=eng Giving a lecture about Islam in a church http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&QR=11232 This matter needs further examination, because the place is not appropriate, except in the unlikely event that it might be said that the Muslims are so powerful that they can proclaim their religion in the places of worship of the Christians. If this is the case, then it is good. But I am worried that it may be the opposite, i.e., that the Muslims are compelled to speak of their religion in the church. Hence I think that he should not do that, in order to avoid falling into this category (of being weak). Attending a Non-Muslims Church Wedding A Muslim is permitted to enter Churches and other houses of worship. There is reference to that in the acts of some of the Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all). The issue, by and large, depends on the intention of the person doing that. If the intention is to receive blessings from or confess sins to anyone other than Allah, then such a visit is surely prohibited. If, on the other hand, the purpose is just to familiarize oneself with how Christians conduct their services, or to share in a happy occasion such as a wedding, then this is surely permissible. Responding to the question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following: "It all depends on the intention and purpose of your visit. If you are entering the Church for the purpose of worship or receiving blessings or confessing your sins or beseeching favors from other than Allah, then you are wrong. If, on the contrary, it is not for any of the above reasons, and you simply went there to observe how the Christians conduct their services and familiarize yourself with their ways or for the purpose of outreach, dialogue, cooperation in virtuous acts, etc., then there is nothing wrong with that. In such cases, it may even be highly recommended depending on the nature of your visit and the circumstances. We know that the Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), while in Jerusalem, was taken around in the ancient Church by the patriarch, but he refused to pray inside; when asked about it he said, "I am afraid, if I were to do so, Muslims might later claim it as a prayer place or a musalla." To conclude, I can say that there is nothing wrong (meaning permissible but not recommended) for Muslims in visiting churches or synagogues or temples if the purpose is other than worship or religious reasons. http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503547916 Attending the funeral of a non-Muslim colleague in the church out of respect for the deceased It is not permissible for the Muslim to attend the funeral of a kaafir or to enter their churches, even if that is a sign of respect etc, because attending the funeral is a way of showing love and respect, and it is not permissible to show that towards a kaafir, according to the correct view. Moreover the questioner says, “to attend the funeral of a non-Muslim friend” – but it is not permissible for a Muslim to take a kaafir as a friend, because Allaah has commanded us to regard them as enemies, to shun them and to keep away from them. This does not mean that we should not deal with them or buy and sell or form business partnerships with them. That is one thing, and taking them as friends is another thing. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of Allaah that will be the successful” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22] And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not initiate the greeting of salaam with the Jews and Christians, and when you meet them in the street, force them towards the narrowest part of it.” Narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh, 2167 from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah. http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=13730&ln=eng&txt=church A Muslim is collecting donations for the church – will he fasting be accepted? A Muslim friend of mine is in an international club in school. his teacher asked everyone in the club if they want to raise moeny for the church. And this friend volunteered to do it, and he is doing it in Ramadhan. Would his fasting be accepted??. The church is a building in which the Christians practice their rituals, which include kufr, belief in trinity and worshipping someone other than Allaah. Based on this, building churches or collecting donations to build them, renovate them and support them, is an serious evil action, because it involves helping to spread kufr and approving of it. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: Whoever believes that churches are houses of God, or that He is worshipped in them, or that what the Jews and Christians do is worship of Allaah and obedience to Him and His Messenger, or that He likes that or is pleased with it, is a kaafir, because his beliefs imply that their religion is valid, and that is kufr. If he helps them to open churches and establish their religion, and believes that this is an act of worship or obedience, then he is a kaafir, because this belief implies that their religion is valid. Elsewhere he said: Whoever believes that visiting the churches of the ahl al-dhimmah is a way to draw closer to Allaah is an apostate. If he is unaware that this is haraam, he must be told, and if he persists in that he becomes an apostate, because he has implicitly denied the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islam” [Aal Imraan 3:19] End quote from Mataalib Ooli al-Nuha, 6/281. It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (14/482): It is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to build a church or a place of worship that is not based on Islam with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because that is one of the greatest means of helping in kufr and making its symbols manifest, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression” [al-Maaidah 5:2] You have to remind him of Allaah and advise him to repent to Allaah, and to give up the work he is doing lest he fall into kufr and apostasy, and his good deeds come to nothing without him realizing. Based on this, there is the fear that something worse will happen to your friend than his fasting not being accepted, namely kufr. We ask Allaah to guide him and to help him to do all that is good. http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=50173&ln=eng&txt=church He promised a kaafir that he would go to the church with him It is not permissible for him to go to the church, because this implies respecting and venerating it, and exposes him to developing a liking for Shirk and its followers. He has to break this promise and explain this ruling to the kaafir so that he will understand why the Muslim broke his promise. http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=7622&ln=eng&txt=church A Christian woman got married in a church then became Muslim In response to your question, if the marriage was contracted through an offer or proposal (eejaab) from the walee (guardian) of the bride and acceptance (qabool) on the part of the groom, with the consent of the bride, in front of two Muslim witnesses of good character (as regards piety, attitude, conduct, etc.), then the marriage contract is valid. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “A marriage is not properly contracted unless there are two Muslim witnesses, regardless of whether the bride and groom are both Muslims or only the groom is. This is what Ahmad stated, and it is also the opinion of al-Shaafii.” (Al-Mughni, 9/349; al-Mufaddal fi Ahkaam al-Mar’ah, 6/120). http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=2132&ln=eng&txt=church If the marriage was conducted as described above, then it is valid, otherwise it must be repeated. It is permissible for a non-Muslim woman to be married by her non-Muslim guardian, but if she becomes Muslim, this role can only be played by a Muslim. If she has no Muslim walee, then this role can be delegated to the director of the Islamic Centre or whoever is acting in his stead. As regards the children who were born during this time, they are the children of the man and should be given his name, as is the ruling in cases where there is uncertainty of this nature. Should she go to the church with her mother to make her happy ? What we think in your case is that you are not being forced; rather it is for the purpose of pleasing your parents. Based on that, we do not think that you should go to the church with them. What we advise you to do in this situation is: 1. Be kind and gentle in your dealings with your parents, show the greatest respect, take care of them and look after them, especially your sick mother. By means of this treatment, you can make them forget about forcing you to go to the church with them, let alone get angry with you for not going. 2. Give an appropriate excuse which will not make them be angry with you, such as staying home to study, or to receive a guest or friend, or other acceptable excuses. 3. Avoid attacking their religion directly, or making fun of what is said in the church. 4. Try to divert them from going there, whilst offering a convincing excuse, which is the fact that huge numbers of their fellow Christians do not go to church. It is better to offer statistics concerning that, that have to do with your country. 5. Do not fall short in calling them to Islam in a kind manner, by means of booklets, cassettes, visiting Islamic websites, and Islamic satellite channels. 6. Be patient and seek reward with Allaah for whatever of harsh treatment you receive from them, or anger, because of your not going with them. We ask Allaah to make that weigh heavily in your balance on the Day that you meet Him. 7. Always say duaa for them to be guided, and seek the good times for supplication, such as the last third of the night, and strive to do so in the best of situations for the believer, which is whilst prostrating in prayer. Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/ In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate "May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You" Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
