Incorporating the veranda into the mosque to expand it

Question

In 1946, when building a mosque, I made the intention that the mosque extends up to the door: this is the part of the mosque, and this is the outer part, which is called the veranda; it is outside the mosque and is not the mosque. I was the one who built the mosque. Today 39 years have passed. Now a few people of the congregation say: include the veranda of the mosque (which is the outer part) in the mosque. Can this be done?

Answer

Merely so that those in i‘tikaf may, while remaining in i‘tikaf, look at the things outside, there is no need to expand the mosque. Therefore the part that is outside should be left outside and not included in the mosque. Yes, if the mosque is so cramped that the worshippers cannot fit, then that part may be included by mutual consultation.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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