Fatwa's Insights - Muamalah

THE 65TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2023

16 - 17 OKTOBER 2023 / 1 - 2 RABIUL AKHIR 1445H

RULING ON MUSLIMS ENTERING NON-MUSLIM PLACES OF WORSHIP

Islam is a religion that commands its adherents to live harmoniously with adherents of other religions without recognising matters of shirk, kufr and sin. Scholars hold differing views on the ruling of Muslims entering non-Muslim places of worship, categorized into several opinions.

The first view states that the ruling is prohibited. It is the view of scholars of the Hanafi and al-Shafi'i Schools. However, scholars of the al-Shafi'i School link such prohibition to the existence of statues within the non-Muslim place of worship. Scholars of the Hanafi School rule it as absolutely prohibited on the grounds that non-Muslim places of worship are dwelling places of devils.

The second view states that the ruling is makruh (dislike). It is the view of scholars of the Hanbali School. However, some of them also link the makruh (dislike) ruling to the existence of statues in such places of worship.

The third view rules it as absolutely permissible. It is a view held in the Hanbali School, as mentioned in al-Mughni, and the view of Ibn Hazm as stated in al-Muhalla.

After examining these views, the Fatwa Committee has decided that the ruling on entering places of worship of other religions is permissible subject to the following conditions:

1. Not with the intention of glorifying, recognising, being proud of, rejoicing in, or participating in elements of shirk, kufr or sin that exist therein.

2. Not consenting to the disbelief and sin that is witnessed, because consent to disbelief leads to disbelief and consent to sin is sinful.

3. Not deliberately causing other parties to see or regard it as a recognition or glorification of erroneous teachings with the existence of the element of tasyabbuh (resembling disbelievers) or that could give rise to negative perceptions towards the person involved.

4. Permitted by the owner or religious authority, without intrusion, while all parties are in a state of peace and harmony.

If these conditions are not fulfilled, then the ruling is prohibited and may even lead to shirk or kufr. Those who are apprehensive about being unable to fulfil the above conditions should refrain from entering non-Muslim places of worship.

However, if entering non-Muslim places of worship can assist adherents of other religions to understand Islam, then that is a da'wah effort that is encouraged.

Attendance of Members of the Perlis State Fatwa Committee:

1. Sahibus Samahah Professor Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr Mohd Asri Bin Zainul Abidin;

2. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Tajul Urus bin Abdul Halim;

3. Sahibul Fadhilah Dato' Dr. Johari bin Mat;

4. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Muhamad Rozaimi bin Ramle;

5. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Basri bin Ibrahim;

6. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Hj Zaharuddin Bin Hj Abdul Rahman;

7. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Azman Bin Mohd Noor;

8. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Akram Bin Dato' Dahaman @ Dahlan;

9. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Ahmad Sufian bin Che Abdullah;

10. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Wifaq Bin Mokhtar;

11. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Syed Abu Bakar Bin Syed Kamal Bharin;

12. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Muhammad Lukman Bin Mat Sin; Al-Fadhil

13. Ustaz Muhammad Khidhir Bin Abdul Ghani – Secretary.

RESOLVED at the Meeting of the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis Bil. 6/2023 on 4 December 2023.