When a place takes the ruling of a mosque

Question

For a long time there has been, at a certain place on the edge of a government road, a mosque consisting of a brick-built raised platform; this mosque is also well known, a mu’adhdhin and an imam are appointed, and the adhan and the congregational prayer (jama‘a) are held regularly. Some time ago a ruler of the time, in a general gathering of Muslims and Hindus, verbally acknowledged that it is a mosque and announced that it is a mosque.

Answer

That this raised platform is known as a mosque, that an imam and a mu’adhdhin are appointed, that the adhan and the congregational prayer are held there regularly, and also that the ruler of the time, in a general gathering of opponents and supporters alike, acknowledged that it is a mosque and announced it — these are matters that are a just witness to its being a mosque and…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.