Can Muslims pray in Churches and Hindu Temples?

Many Muslims living in the European countries and India often think if they can pray in Churches or Hindu Temples. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Maneahas has issued a fatwa in this regard.

Praying in Churches

Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Maneahas, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia has issued a fatwa that the Muslims are free to pray at any piece of land be it Shiite or Sufi mosques, churches, or synagogues.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ‘The earth has been made for me a place of prostration and a means of purification, so wherever a man of my Ummah is when the time for prayer comes, let him pray.’ – Sunan an-Nasa’i 736

Having said that Muslims should make sure that the place where he is offering Salah is clean as it is one of the fard acts of Salah.

Praying in Hindu Temples

The fatwa mentioned above does not specify Hindu temples. Therefore, some Muslims believe that they can offer Salah in churches but not in Hindu temples.

However, according to the Hadith mentioned above, Muslims are allowed to pray on the entire planet earth as long as the place is clean.

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Did Omer bin Khattab offer Salah in Church?

It is also a fact that when Omer bin Khattab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ went to Jerusalem, he did not pray inside the church. In fact, historians state that he offered Salah outside the church.

However, before drawing a conclusion, we also need to look at the reason why Omer bin Khattab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ did not pray inside the church. 

Ibn Khaldoon رحمة الله عليه has stated that Omer bin Khattab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ refused to pray inside the church due to the fear that Muslims after him might take it as a mosque. 

Source: Arab News