Resolution No. (262)(15/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on Leasing the Ground Floor of a Masjid"
Date: 6/Dhu'l-Qa'dah/1439 AH, corresponding to 19/7/2018.
All Perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
During its tenth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent from His Excellency Deputy Director-General of Awqaf Properties Development Department Mr. Ali Al-`Esaili, and it read as follows:
I have enclosed a copy of the letter submitted by the residents of Al-Hiwaiah area (Karak) in which they sought permission to give out the ground floor of "Thaniyat Al-Wada` Masjid", located in the aforementioned area, for lease in return for a nominal price in order to use it for hosting various public occasions. I kindly ask your Grace to discuss this request with the Iftaa` Board to issue a Fatwa in this regard.
After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:
It isn`t permitted to allocate any part of the Masjid for a purpose other than that which is beneficial to the Masjid. As a Waqf (Endowment), it is solely allocated to performing acts of worship and delivering the religious message of a Masjid, and not for hosting public or private events, because Almighty Allah, Said (What means): "(Lit is such a Light) in houses, which God hath permitted to be raised to honour; for the celebration, in them, of His name: In them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings, (again and again),- By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of God" {An-Nur, 36}. This is particularly since the extra floors of a Masjid may be allocated to teaching the Noble Quran and the different Sciences of Sharia. They may also be needed in certain religious events, such as the holy month of Ramadan, Fitr and Adha Eids and the like. We may also lease them for non-religious occasions, without that being conditioned by the Waqif (Endower), hinders delivering the original purpose for which the Masjid was endowed in the first place. And Allah Knows Best.
The Iftaa` Board (2018)
Chairperson: Dr Mohammad al-Khalayleh, Grand Mufti of Jordan
Sheikh AbdulkareemKhasawneh/ Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/Member
Prof. Abdullah al-Fawoaz/ Member
Dr.Moh.Khair Al-Esa/ Member
Dr. Majid Drawsheh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eidHijawi/Member
Judge Khalid Woraikat/Member
Prof. Adam Al-Qhodat/ Member
Dr. Mohammad al-Zou`bi/Member