Allah has gifted all Muslims with something special, they can pray wherever they want, can Muslims Pray in Churches, homes, public places, and any place, just have to ensure the cleanliness of the spot they choose. As The Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I have been given five things which were not given to any amongst the Prophets before me. These are: -1. Allah made me victorious by awe (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s journey. -2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum. Therefore my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due. -3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me (and was not made so for anyone else). -4. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation exclusively but I have been sent to all mankind. -5. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection.)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي، نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ مَسِيرَةَ شَهْرٍ، وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا، وَأَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي أَدْرَكَتْهُ الصَّلاَةُ فَلْيُصَلِّ، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ، وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ خَاصَّةً، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ كَافَّةً، وَأُعْطِيتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ ”.
And that’s one of our gracing blessings of Islam. This leaves a question about whether Muslims can pray in churches or not. Before discussing the availability of praying in churches as Muslims we have to know the following:
- Are Muslims allowed to enter the church?
- Is it haram to go to church as a Muslim?
Are Muslims allowed to enter the church?
Yes, Churches are recognized in Quran, as Allah mentioned in surah al Baqarah and Al-Hajj as a place where can Muslims go.
As you can find in Surah Al-Hajj Allah Says: [They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right – only because they say, “Our Lord is Allah.” And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
“ٱلَّذِينَ أُخۡرِجُواْ مِن دِيَٰرِهِم بِغَيۡرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّآ أَن يَقُولُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّهُدِّمَتۡ صَوَٰمِعُ وَبِيَعٞ وَصَلَوَٰتٞ وَمَسَٰجِدُ يُذۡكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسۡمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرٗاۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ”
Thus, based on this recognition and special care for individuals who follow the earlier revelations (Jews, Christians, etc.) it is permissible for Muslims to visit their places of worship, even to the extent of performing salat in them.
Also, many Sahbas like Abu Musa al-Ash’ari and ‘Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz have prayed (Salat) in a church.
Furthermore, Al-Bukhari says: “Ibn ‘Abbas would pray in churches (under unusual circumstances) except for those with statues or sculptures.”
So, we can state that Muslims are allowed to enter the church.
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Is it haram to go to church as a Muslim?
Scholars differed greatly in their opinions about whether it is forbidden or disliked, but there was no clear and correct evidence from the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, that it is forbidden to enter churches.
Therefore, based on the aforementioned events, it is permitted for Muslims to enter the church to attend lectures, occasions, etc. The only thing that is not permitted is to join non-Muslims in worship.
However, some schools of thought, such as the Hanafi and Shafii schools, opposed prayer in such locations. There does not appear to be any clear evidence that Muslims cannot enter churches. But, at the very least, it is makruh to visit churches unnecessarily, because the angels and the Prophet did not enter the house with images, indicating that it is makruh. Furthermore, this being makruh may reach the level of being haram if attending the church will result in any bad consequences.
Here are several scholarly comments on Muslims going to churches regarding the ruling on Muslims entering a church in the first place:
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It is forbidden for Muslims to visit churches:
This is the stance of the Hanafis and Shafi’is, however, the Shafi’is limit the prohibition to churches with images, as stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (2/424), Nihayat al-Muhtaj (2/63) and Hashiyata Qalyubi wa ‘Umairah ‘ala Sharh al-Muhalla (4/236).
The Hanafis see it as haram in all situations, citing the fact that they are the abodes of devils, as Hanafi Ibn Nujaym stated in al-Bahr al-Raiq (7/364) and Hashiyat Ibn ‘Abidin (2/43).
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It is Makruh for Muslims to visit churches:
The Hanbalis believe it is makruh for Muslims to visit churches, however others limit this to those with images. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) stated in al-Fatawa al-Kubra (5/327): “The view which most of our companions hold is that it is makruh to enter churches in which there are images, and this is the correct view concerning which there can be no doubt.” (See: al-Furu’ (5/308), al-Adab al-Shar’iyyah (3/415), and al-Insaf (1/496).
So, we can’t say it is forbidden for Muslims to enter the church, but we can say it has limitations only. Now you can ask the golden question, Can Muslims Use the Church as a Mosque?
The following paragraph will answer your question in detail.
Can a church be used as a mosque?
Can Muslims Pray in a Church, or is the Church could be considered a place Where Muslims Can Pray?
A Muslim may pray at a church if he is obliged to do so.
If a Muslim prays in a church without necessity, his prayer is legitimate, but it is considered repulsive or makruh.
When a Muslim needs to pray in a church, he must first ask permission from the church authorities, as Islam respects other people’s places of worship.
The Prophetic hadiths make it clear that the entire planet is regarded as a mosque for Muslims, with Salah and prostration performed there.
However, one should avoid places such as churches for fear of questionable stuff. If one finds it extremely difficult to find a place to worship other than a church and performs salah there, one’s prayer is acceptable because the entire planet is for Allah, and everything is considered a mosque (i.e., a place to pray and kneel) for all Muslims.
According to reports, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) refused to pray inside the church and instead prayed outside it to avoid any false notions that ordinary Muslims might have if they were enticed to pray where ‘Umar did.
Now, you know when to enter the church and when to not, so it’s time to know:
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