Running Electric Wires over the Roof of a Mosque

Question

Behind the mosque there is no passage; the land of some people lies there unbuilt. If a person or several persons on the north side of the mosque wish to obtain electricity from the electricity department, and the owners of that land do not give permission, may the electric wires be run over the roof of the mosque? Some people oppose this, on the grounds that by running the wires those taking the electricity will acquire a legal right; and the mosque is to be rebuilt anew?

Answer

The owners of the vacant land do not give permission; yet as regards protection from a legal right, this danger will exist for the mosque as well. Moreover, since rebuilding the mosque anew is also proposed, this too should be borne in mind, so that no difficulty arises at the time of construction.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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