Building a Mosque on Government Land

Question

A pond was allotted to washermen. Near the pond there is some unused land; we have put up a thatched shelter on it and perform prayer there at all five times. In the government papers too this place is recorded as a mosque. Some people declare it impermissible on the grounds of usurpation (ghasb). Kindly inform us of the Sharʿi ruling.

Answer

If that land is not the property of any particular person but is unused government property, and the adhan and congregational prayer (jamaʿa) are being held there with everyone’s permission and consent, and the government has recognised it as a mosque, then it is not correct to call this land usurped (ghasb).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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