A Mosque within Government Land

Question

The population of our settlement is about 20 thousand, of whom a quarter are Muslims. Facilities for ablution and purification are provided from the settlement. Around the prayer house there is a population of a hundred households; at the five daily prayers there are 30 to 40 worshippers. From a distance the prayer house looks like a mosque. However, since this prayer house has been built on government land without the government’s permission, the government can demolish it whenever it wishes.

Answer

(1/2) In the present state of affairs the prayer house is to be respected just like a mosque, and nothing contrary to the respect due to a mosque should be done in it. In sha’ Allah, the reward for praying there will also be that of a mosque. (3) The Friday prayer may also be performed in this prayer house — after all, the five daily prayers are being performed there anyway.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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