Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Respected Mr. Burhan

URGENT!!

We have a community masjid in our vicinity.

Around 20 years ago, when the intention to build a masjid was established a senior person (now the Imam) in the community had permitted a Hindu family to act as caretakers to the premises.

Now the constructed premises is a full fledged community area with a masjid premise and a community centre where meetings, iftaar and niaz are held. This Hindu family continues to take care of the premises, something that they have been doing over the last 20 years with faith and honesty. Is it Haraam?

I refer to an answer on a similar question, which does not disallow a Non Muslim to enter a Masjid, except for the Holy Masjid in Makkah.

Please guide whether we should continue with these caretakers. They have been serving the masjid and its members well for the last two decades. We pay them their dues over the year and in the Holy month of Ramadan. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Hindus caretakers of masjid

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

It is obviously best and preferred that believers take care of the Sacred Houses of Allah; if a disbeliever is given this responsibility, there is always a fear or a chance that one amongst them may dishonor the sanctity of the masjid.

But just as it is not unlawful for a disbeliever to enter a masjid (except the Sacred Haram in Makkah and Madinah), to the best of our knowledge, there is nothing in Shariah Law which disallows or prohibits a disbeliever from being appointed a caretaker of a masjid. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan