Attributing a Mosque to Its Founder

Question

A man had a mosque built and had engraved on it: “Masjid Wahidiyya, in memory of Dr ‘Abd al-Wahid”. Some people are saying that praying in this mosque is not valid, and some say that it is valid. So in such a case, what is the status of praying there?

Answer

Since the mosque has been built and ownership control over it has not been retained, praying in it is valid without any dislike (karaha). The mere engraving of the said inscription causes no defect in the prayer. There is no problem in attributing a mosque to its founder: in the noble hadith there is permission to say “the mosque of Banu so-and-so”.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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