The Ruling on a Mihrab in the Mosque

Question

Are the mihrabs that are built in mosques permissible according to the Sharia or not, or are they makruh? Whatever the case, kindly give an answer with references to books. Explain, and be rewarded.

Answer

The texts in the books of fiqh differ. Some indicate that the mihrab is established from the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the noble Companions ﵃; others indicate that the practice began from the time of the Successors (Tabiʿun) ﵏. Likewise, differing views appear in the books of history as well. Shaykh ʿAbd al-Haqq Muhaddith Dihlawi ﵀ writes in “Jadhb al-Qulub” (p. 83)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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