ṢALĀH IN A CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE, OR TEMPLE?
With the rise of interfaith and multi-faith, and all related activities, the question has come about regarding performing Ṣalāh in a church or place of worship of other religions.
A look at the celebrated work of ‘Allāmah ibn ‘Ābidīn Shāmī raḥimahullāh, Radd al-Muḥtār vol.2 pp.559-560, tells us the following,
1.
The reason for the extreme dislike for Ṣalāh in the
places of worship of the disbelievers is that such places are spots where the
Shayāṭīn and demons gather. The Shāfi’iyyah have clarified that such places are the
abodes of the Shayāṭīn and
demons.
2.
One cannot take an oath in the places of worship of
the disbelievers.
3.
It is Makrūh for a
Muslim to enter a church and synagogue, it is Makrūh because such places are spots where the Shayāṭīn and demons gather, and not that a person has no
right at all to enter.
4.
It is quite clear that Makrūh here refers to Makrūh Taḥrīmī.
5.
The author of Radd
al-Muḥtār has given fatwā that a Muslim who visits a synagogue with the
Jews often should be punished (under the Muslim ruler).
6.
If it is forbidden
to enter such a place, then the prohibition will be more for Ṣalāh.
7.
From this, the
ignorance of the person who enters a church, synagogue, or temple for Ṣalāh is
made clear and apparent.
