Hindus’ Money in a Mosque

Question

May the money of Hindus or of Shi‘is be spent on a mosque building or not? If spending it is permissible, then what is the meaning of this ayah: [ar]وَمَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ[/ar] “It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah while bearing witness against themselves of disbelief…” (Surah al-Tawba, 9:17)?

Answer

If, in their view, building a mosque is worship and a meritorious deed, and there is no other impediment either, then using their money in the construction of a mosque is correct according to the Shari‘a. For by ‘imara (“maintaining”) in the ayah is meant keeping the mosque populated, its trusteeship (tawliya)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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