The Spiritual Guide and His Disciples Building a Latrine Near the Mosque

Question

Some bricks of the mosque had been used in [building] the mosque’s veranda. The disciples, for the sake of the aforementioned shaykh, took those bricks and built a latrine inside the mosque — that is, facing the courtyard. When fair-minded people raised objections, the disciples and the respected spiritual guide paid them no heed.

Answer

It was proper for the shaykh in question to act on the advice of the trustee (mutawalli) and the worshippers, so that no one would have grounds for objection. If a latrine is built near a mosque for the need of the worshippers, it is permissible in the Sacred Law, but care must be taken that no foul smell reaches the mosque.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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