Q: Kindly, examine the attached report providing the date of the construction (part I) and completion of the first stage (part II) and the proposed construction and completion of the final stage (part III and IV) of the Masjid (mosque) and the Islamic center in
Croydon,
south-western
London.
Please, inform us about the Shar`y (Islamic legal) ruling on the issues stated at the end of the report (part V): We ask for the Shar`y ruling on the issues stated below:105- Taking into account the building whose construction is proposed, are funds raised for building which considered Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity)?205- After finishing the first stage of the Masjid construction, can we work on the final stage as shown in part III including proposed multiple usages taking into account that the house was used as Masjid before demolition?If your answer to question no. 2 is in the affirmative, can we offer Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer, Salat-ul-`Eid (the Festival Prayer), Tarawih (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan) in this building? We stress the fact that one Imam will lead all Salahs (Prayers) in the two buildings facing the Qiblah (Ka`bah-direction faced in Prayer).405- Otherwise, which Salah of those stated in the previous paragraph may we offer in the proposed building in accordance with Shari`ah (Islamic law)? (Part No. 7; Page No. 193) 505- Is it permissible to build residential apartments equipped with toilets and bathrooms over halls and rooms which will be used for offering Jumu`ah, `Eid, and Tarawih Prayers if the number of worshippers exceeds the usual limit as we explained to Your Eminence earlier?
A:
First:
Funds raised for building Masjids are considered Sadaqah Jariyah as it is a permanently beneficial charity, whose reward will be ongoing even after the donator's death.
Second:
The part specified for Salah should be used only for establishing the Five Obligatory Daily Prayers, Jumu`ah Prayer, the Two `Eid Prayers and Tarawih as well as other Nafilah (supererogatory) Salah. It may also be used for holding beneficial educational symposia and Islamic and Qur'an teaching circles. However, using Masjids for the activities you mentioned above is considered to be undervaluation of Masjids.
Third:
It is permissible to offer Salah in congregation led by one Imam in the two buildings adjacent to the center if the Ma'mums (people being led by an Imam in Prayer) can see the Imam or other Ma'mums lined up behind the Imam.
Fourth:
It is permissible to build residential units for the Imam and the supervisor with utilities such as toilets and the like over the halls which will be used, when needed, for Salah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
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