Living in a Room Whose Roof Has Been Made Part of the Mosque

Question

There is a mosque whose floor is raised about five gaz (an Indian measure of length, roughly a yard, ≈ 0.9 m). On the left side of the mosque there was a chamber directly adjoining the mosque wall, and beneath this chamber there are two small rooms. The founder built this room as a residence for the imam, so that he could live there with his family.

Answer

A place that has been declared a mosque is entirely mosque, both above and below. The imam is now not permitted to reside in those rooms whose roof has been made the courtyard of the mosque. The mosque’s belongings, prayer mats and the like may be stored in them. For what was done out of ignorance, they should seek forgiveness from Allah.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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