Turning On the Electric Fan Outside Prayer Times

Question

Electricity, fans and the like are installed in mosques. Is it permissible to use them for needs other than the prayer — such as reciting the Qur’an, studying books, Tablighi study sessions (taʿlim) and the like?

Answer

Since the fans were installed for use at the time of the prayer, there is no permission to use them at other times. At prayer times, when they are switched on for the prayer, studying books is also permitted, for: [ar]شَرْطُ الْوَاقِفِ كَنَصِّ الشَّارِعِ[/ar] “The stipulation of the waqif is like the text of the Lawgiver.”

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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