Question (Q-62)
Is it permissible to use the equipment or furniture of one Masjid inside another Masjid?
Answer:
It is Harām (impermissible) to pass on the equipment or donations of one Masjid to another Masjid even if the equipment or donations are only passed on as a loan. The reason for this is that it is impermissible to alter the way in which a donation is used to any cause other than the specific cause for which it was donated. This is to the extent that the donation cannot be used for other causes that benefit the specific cause for which the donation was made. Any condition made by a donator is like the clear instructions of the Noble Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) himself (who is the legislator) and therefore must be fulfilled. It is stated in Durr ul Mukhtār, Chapter on Endowments (Al Waqf),
شرط الواقف کنص الشارع في وجوب العمل به
“The condition of the donor is like the exact wording of the legislator in terms of it being necessary to act upon it.”
In fact, even if one hundred extra mats or water vessels are present in a Masjid and there is not even one mat or water vessel in another Masjid, then it is still not permissible to transfer any of the mats or vessels from the former Masjid to the latter. (Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah, Volume 16, Page 252-280)
It is stated in Radd-ul-Muhtār, Volume 3, Page 371,
المسجد لا يجوز نقل ماله إلي مسجد اٰخر
“It is not permissible to transfer the property of one Masjid to another.”
It is stated in Al Fatāwā Al Hindiyyah, Volume 5, Page 397,
ولا يجوز إعارتها (أي المصليات) لمسجد آخر
“And it is not permissible to hire them (i.e. the prayer mats) to another Masjid.” However, if a Masjid is in an area where it is difficult to protect its equipment and there is a real risk of it being stolen or damaged, then it is permissible to store its equipment inside another Masjid. This rarely occurs in this day and age.
Allah (تعالى) is Most Knowing.
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
