Question:
Assalamualikum wa rahmatullah,
If a bishop came to a Muslim scholar’s house and later he asks where he can pray can a Muslim scholar give permission to the bishop to pray in the masjid, as per his tariqa ?
Allah Hafez,
Answer:
Essalamu Alaikum,
Imam Ahmad is reported to have said that non-Muslims can only enter the mosques with the permission of Muslims. This is supported by the report that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted the people of At-Ta’if to stay in the mosque prior to their embracing Islam. He also received the Christians of Najran in his mosque in Madinah. When the time of their prayer was due, they prayed in the mosque towards the eastern direction. Thereupon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said (to his Companions), “Leave them (to perform prayer).”
In Fath al-Bari, Ibn Hajar mentioned that there are different opinions concerning this issue. The Hanafi jurists gave unconditional permission.
Imam Senad Agic
The Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago
