Resolution No.(190)(10/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on Turning an Old Mosque into a Centre for Teaching the Holy Quran"
Date: (27/ Thu`l Qidah/1434 AH) corresponding to (3/10/2013AD)
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of The Worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad, and upon all his family and companions.
The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its eighth session held on the above given date, the question submitted by The Secretary-General of The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, and reads as follows:
I would like to draw your Grace`s attention to the fact that some old mosques are not utilized for offering prayers due to the availability of newly-built ones near them. Would you please clarify the Sharia ruling on turning these into centers for teaching Quran, or Islamic centers?
After careful study and deliberation, The Board decided what follows:
Muslim scholars are of the view that it is impermissible to sell, give, or change a Mawquf (an endowed property) because it is not the property of the Waqif (owner), thus he is not at liberty to run it in any manner that nullifies its original benefit. However, some scholars made exceptions where they allowed changing Waqf (endowment) into something else for the purpose of achieving benefit and preserving interest. This is the view of the Hanbali scholars, such as Al-Imam Al-Bardawi who says: “Each Waqf that does not serve its original purpose should be sold.” {Al-Inssaf/vol.7/pp.103}.This includes any factor that hinders the proper utilization of the Waqf . It is stated in {Al-Inssaf/vol.7/pp.103}: ”Not achieving the benefits intended by the Waqf due to damage or else, or even the narrowness of the mosque is what is intended by the deactivation of Waqf utilities.” Not offering prayer in these old mosques-as mentioned in the above question-could be adapted to that which the Hanbali scholars mentioned in the former quotes.
Accordingly, it is allowed to turn these mosques into centers for teaching Quran to make them beneficial, provided that it is done under the supervision of an Islamic committee which ascertains meeting the aforementioned conditions stipulated by the Muslim scholars. However, it is better for the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places to exercise caution in this regard by retaining rules of mosques and utilizing them (mosques) for teaching Quran at the same time, since there is no contradiction between the two objectives particularly in case of a future need for performing prayer in them due to crowdedness of other mosques. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board
The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Khasawneh
Vice Chairman of Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmed Helayel
Prof. Abdul Nnasir Abu Al-Basal/member
His Eminence Shaykh Sa'id Hijjawi/member
Dr. Yahya Al-Btoush/ member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Qudah/member
Dr. Mohammed Al-Khalayleh/member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zoubi/ member
