Taking a plot near the mosque for the mosque

Question

(1) Zayd and ‘Amr are the administrators of the mosque. Behind the mosque there is a plot of land owned by another person. Zayd and ‘Amr want to take possession of it through their influence and pressure, but its owner is in no way prepared to give this land to the mosque. In such a situation, is taking possession of it permissible and proper? (2) Will Zayd and ‘Amr receive any reward for usurping the aforementioned land? (3)

Answer

If, because of the narrowness of the mosque and the large number of worshippers, there is need for expansion, then it should be bought from the owner at a fair price. Forcibly seizing it through influence and pressure is ghasb (usurpation of another’s property) and haram. (2)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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