A Non-Muslim’s Vow to Build a Mosque and Praying in It

Question

At the shrine of a saint where an ‘urs (an annual festival at a saint’s tomb on his death anniversary) is held, a saint, the respected ‘Abd al-Rahim Shah (buried in Benares), had built a mosque, which fell into ruin. A Hindu oil-presser made a vow: if his wish was fulfilled he would have a mosque built and a well dug. His wish was fulfilled and he did both things. What is the ruling on praying in this mosque?

Answer

Since he had that mosque built with the intention of reward, to please God, prayer there is valid, and using the water of that well is also permissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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