Demolishing Masjid to make a road
Question: How is it to demolish a Masjid or a part of it to make way for a public road?
Answer: Demolishing a Masjid or any part of it is an absolutely ’Haraam act. This act becomes a means of disrespecting and desolating the Masjid. Therefore, it is a severely ‘Haraam act and an act that leads towards the Hellfire. Therefore, Allah says in the Holy Quran, Surah Baqarah, Ayah no. 114: Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘’Who is more unjust than he
who prevents the name of Allah from being mentioned in the Masjids of Allah, and strives to ruin them?’’
In regards to this beautiful Ayah, Sadr-ul-Afazil, ‘Allama Maulana Na’eem-ud-Deen Muradabadi has stated: The way Masajid get desolated when Zikr and Salah are stopped in there, same is the case when Masjid’s building is harmed and its honour is tarnished. The jurists of Islam have said: If people make an intention that an area of the Masjid is to be used as a pathway for the Muslims, then it is said that they are not allowed to do so and this [verdict] is indeed correct. (Fatawa Hindiyyah, vol. 2, pp. 457) Similarly, when answering a similar question, Ala Hazrat, Imam-e-Ahl-us-Sunnah, ‘Allamah Maulana Imam Ahmad Raza Khan has said: Indeed, doing such an act is ’Haram.
This is abusing the rights of a Masjid and causing undue interference in the property of the Masjid. In the light of Shar’iah, deviating from the permissions and conditions set out by the Waqif at the time of donating even for its betterment or improvement is not allowed – even if the originality of the Waqf is not changed. Then how can it be ‘Halal to use a Waqf item in something completely contrary to the purpose it was actually donated for? (Fatawa Razaviyyah, vol. 16, pp. 351) Bringing immature children to the Masjid.