Forcibly Collecting Donations for Building a Mosque

Question

There is a village whose inhabitants are sunk in extreme misguidance: fornication, consuming interest and drinking wine are widespread. A mosque has been built in this village, the donations for which were collected by force. In this case, is the construction of the mosque valid or not? And is prayer in this mosque valid or not? — given that the people of the village are in extreme poverty. Also, is building a mosque with a non-Muslim’s donation valid or not? Will prayer in that mosque be valid or not?

Answer

These deeds too bring about the wrath of the Almighty, and collecting donations by force is also forbidden. Those from whom donations were taken by force should now forgive it and pray to Allah Most High to accept the money given in the name of Allah. Everyone should come into this mosque and repent of their sins and desist from their foul deeds.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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