Table Of ContentFatawaa of
ThePermanent Committee
Rulings Related to Masjids
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Table of Contents
-Introduction to The Permanent Committee
-His Eminence Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdul-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah
Al Baz
-His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul-Razzaq ibn `Afify ibn `Atiyyah
-His Eminence Shaykh `Abdullah ibn Qa`ud
-His Eminence Shaykh `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan
-His Eminence Shaykh `Abdullah ibn Mani`
Definition of the Masjid
Excellence of Building Masjids
If There are Many Masjids In a City, How to Choose the Best to Pray In?
Excellence of Salah Offered in Makkah
Excellence of Salah Offered in the Prophet's Masjid
Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa
Demolishing and Rebuilding a Masjid
Buying Places of Entertainment and Turning Them into Masjids
Building Masjids in Places Where Muslims are Not Expected to Permanently Reside
Building Two-Story Masjids
Maintaining Masjids with the Money of Sadaqah Jariyah
Using the Surplus of Funds Allocated to Build a Certain Masjid for the Construction of Another
Spending the Money Donated to a Masjid
Reallocating Donations Allocated to Build a Masjid
Salah in a Masjid Whose Construction was Financed by Ill-gotten Funds
Asking for Aid to Build a Masjid
Building Stores Underneath Masjids
Constructing Over Masjids
Including the Bathroom Area Within the Masjid
Building Domes Over Masjids
Fixing Something Broken in the Masjid
Building Bathrooms Around the Masjid
Hanging Pictures in Masjids and Offering Salah in a Place Where Pictures are Hung
Building Mihrabs in Masjids
Constructing Minarets on Masjids and Building Graves Over Them
Offering Salah in Graveyards
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The Masjids Built by Non-Muslim Countries for Their Muslim Communities
Buying a Church to Turn it Into a Masjid
Offering Salah Inside Churches
Offering Salah in the Houses of Christians
Leaving the Masjid After the Adhan is Announced
A Junub Entering a Masjid
A Menstruating Woman Entering a Masjid
Admitting Children to the Masjid
A Non-Muslim Entering the Masjid
Sleeping in the Masjid
Talking in the Masjid
Discussing Worldly Matters in the Masjid
Abandoning Idle Talk in the Masjid
Announcing a Lost Item in the Masjid
Selling in the Masjid
Begging in the Masjid
Using Miswak in the Masjid
Eating in the Masjid
Greeting People in the Masjid
Sitting in the Masjid with Feet Stretched Towards the Qiblah
Collecting Donations in Masjids
Establishing a Gym Beneath a Masjid
Bringing Magazines that Contain Photographs to the Masjid
Announcing a Title Deed in the Masjid
Singing the National Anthem in the Masjid
Playing in Masjids
Clapping Hands Inside the Masjid
Locking Masjids
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Introduction to the Permanent Committee
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa (in Arabic, al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah lil-
Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaaءﺎﺘﻓﻹاو ﺔﯿﻤﻠﻌﻟا ثﻮﺤﺒﻠﻟ ﺔﻤﺋاﺪﻟا ﺔﻨﺠﻠﻟا ) is an Islamic organization in Saudi Arabia that
issues rulings in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). It consists of the most senior Sunni scholars of fiqh in Saudi
Arabia.
King Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz of Saudi Arabia on the 8th of Rajab 1391 AH (August 29, 1971 C.E. in the Gregorian
calendar) issued a royal decree establishing the Council of Senior Scholars for his country. Under section four of
the decree, it stated,
“The Permanent Committee has been left the task of selecting its members from amongst the members
of the Council (of Senior Scholars) in accordance with the Royal Decree. Its aim is to prepare research
papers ready for discussion amongst the Council (of Senior Scholars), and issue fatawa on individual
issues. This is by responding to the fatwa-seeking public in areas of 'aqidah, 'ibadah and social issues. It
will be called: The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa (al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah lil-
Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa.)”
With this decree came the establishment of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa (Islamic
rulings). Since its inception, the Permanent Committee has been relied upon by Muslims all over the world for
rulings in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), and Aqidah (Islamic creed)
issues. For those with questions regarding the Islamic ruling on a variety of questions, it is possible to write to
the Permanent Committee asking for a fatwa on a specific topic.
In their fatawa, the Permanent Committee has become renowned for its thoroughness in deriving their rulings.
All fatawa are derived from evidence from the three sources of Islamic knowledge: the Qur'an, authentic
Sunnah, and understanding of the rightly guided companions of the Prophet Muhammad. Moreover, they will
usually explain all the potential Islamic viewpoints of an issue and will then explain, which in their view is the
most authentic opinion based on the evidence.
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His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn `Abdul-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn
`Abdullah Al Baz
His Birth:
Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Baz was born in 1330 A.H. in Dhul-Hijjah, in Riyadh. He enjoyed normal eyesight until
his eyes were inflicted with a disease in 1346 A.H. This weakened his eyesight, which he later lost in 1350 A.H.
His Seeking of Knowledge:
Ibn Baz memorized the whole Ever-Glorious Qur’an before reaching the age of puberty and then sought
knowledge from the scholars of Riyadh. When he excelled in his knowledge of the various branches of the
Shari`ah and the Arabic language, he was appointed to the judiciary in 1357 A.H. He never stopped seeking
knowledge; he was constantly occupied with searching and teaching and his positions did not distract him from
this, so he became knowledgeable in many sciences. He gave special attention to Hadith and its sciences to the
extent that his ranking of a Hadith as sound or weak was taken into consideration – and only a few attain such
a position, particularly at the present time. This was manifest in his writings and Fatwas (legal opinions issued
by a qualified Muslim scholar), as he would only adopt opinions supported by evidence.
His Shaykhs:
Ibn Baz acquired knowledge from many of the great scholars, among them:
1. Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Latif ibn `Abdul-Rahman ibn Hasan ibn Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-
Wahhab, Judge of Riyadh
2. Shaykh Salih ibn `Abdul-Aziz ibn `Abdul-Rahman ibn Hasan ibn Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab
3. Shaykh Sa`d ibn Hamad ibn `Atiq, Judge of Riyadh
4. Shaykh Hamad ibn Faris, (Vice Chancellor of the Treasury in Riyadh)
5. His Eminence Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn `Abdul-Latif Al Al-Shaykh (who in his time was the
Grand Mufty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Shaykh Ibn Baz attended and adhered to his learning
circles for approximately 10 years. Shaykh Ibn Baz learnt all the branches of the Shari`ah from 1347
A.H. to 1357 A.H.
6. Shaykh Sa`d Waqqas Al-Bukhary, one of the scholars of Makkah from whom Ibn Baz learned the science
of Tajwid (reciting the Qur'an following the rules of recitation) in 1355 A.H.
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His Influence:
Since the time Ibn Baz was appointed as a judge in Al-Kharj in 1357 A.H., he gave regular lectures. In Al-Kharj,
his lectures were held every day of the week, except Thursday and Friday. He influenced many students who
were seeking knowledge, among them:
1. Shaykh `Abdullah Al-Kanhal
2. Shaykh Rashid ibn Salih Al-Khanin
3. Shaykh `Abdul-Rahman ibn Nasir Al-Barak
4. Shaykh `Abdul-Latif ibn Shadid
5. Shaykh `Abdullah ibn Hasan ibn Qa`ud
6. Shaykh `Abdul-Rahman ibn Jalal
7. Shaykh Salih ibn Halil, and many others.
In 1372 A.H., he moved to Riyadh to teach at the Riyadh Educational Institute and then at the College of
Shari`ah from its inception in 1373 A.H. He taught the sciences of jurisprudence, Hadith, and Tawhid (belief in
the Oneness of Allah/monotheism). He was appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Islamic University in Al-
Madinah in 1381 A.H. He established the learning circle at Al-Jami` Al-Kabir in Riyadh, which is still held to the
present day, though in the last few years it has become limited to only some days of the week. During his stay
in Al-Madinah from 1381 A.H. (as Vice President of the Islamic University and as President from 1390 A.H. until
1395 A.H.) he held a learning circle in the Prophet’s Mosque. It should be noted that the learning circles he set
up whenever he moved to a place continue to be held to this day, for example in Al-Ta’if during the summer
days. Allah has caused many people to benefit from these learning circles.
His Work:
1. A collection of various Fatwas and articles;
2. Al-Fawa’id Al-Jaliyyah Fi Al-Mabahith Al-Frdiyyah
3. Al-Tahqiq Wa Al-Idah Likathir Min Masa’il Al-Hajj wa Al-`Umrah Wa Al-Ziyarah (Tawdih Al-Manasik)
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4. Al-Tah-dhir min Al-Bida`. This book contains four useful articles: Hukm Al-Ihtifal Bi Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawy,
Laylat Al-Isra’ Wa Al-Mi`raj, Laylat Al-Nisf Min Sha`ban, and Takdhib Al-Ru’ya Al-Maz`umah Min
Khadim Al-Hujrah Al-Nabawiyyah Al-Musamma: Al-Shaykh Ahmad
5. Risalatan Mujazatan Fi Al-Zakah Wa Al-Siyam
6. Al-`Aqidah Al-Sahihah Wama Yudaddaha
7. Wujub Al-`Amal Bi Sunnah Al-Rasul (Salla Allahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) Wa Kufr Man Ankaraha
8. Al-Da`wah Ila Allah Wa Akhlaq Al-Du`ah.
9. Wujub Tahkim Shar` Allah Wa Nabdh Ma Khalafahu
10. Hukm Al-Sufur Wa Al-Hijab Wa Nikah Al-Shighar
11. Naqd Al-Qawmiyyah Al-`Arabiyyah
12. Al-Jawab Al-Mufid Fi Hukm Al-Taswir
13. Al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab, Da`watuhu Wa Siratuhu.
14. Thalath Rasa’il Fi Al-Salah:
a) Kayfiyyat Salat Al-Naby (Salla Allahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam)
b) Wujub Ada’ Al-Salah Fi Jama`ah.
c) Ayna Yada` Al-Musali Yadayhi Hina Al-Raf` Min Al-Ruku`
15. Hukm Al-Islam Fiman Ta`ana Fi Al-Qur’an Aw Fi Rasul Allah (Salla Allahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam)
16. Hashiyah Mufidah `Ala Fat-h Al-Bari (He reached to the Book of Hajj)
17. Risalat Al-Adillah Al-Naqliyyah Wa Al-Hissiyah `Ala Jarayn Al-Shams Wa Sukun Al-Ard Wa Imkan Al-
Su`ud Ila Al-Kawakib
18. Iqamat Al-Barahin `Ala Hukm Man Istaghatha Bi Ghayr Allah Aw Saddaqa Al-Kahana Wa Al-`Arrafin
19. Al-Jihad Fi Sabil Allah
20. Al-Durus Al-Muhimmah Li `Ammat Al-Ummah
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21. Fatawa Tata`allaq` Bi Ahkam Al-Hajj Wa Al-`Umrah Wa Al-Ziyarah
22. Wujub Lizum Al-Sunnah Wa Al-Hadhar Min Al-Bi`ah
23. Tuhfat Al-Akhyar Bibayan Jumlah Nafi`ah Mima Warad Fi Al-Kitab Wa Al-Sunnah Al-Sahihah Min Al-
Ad`iyyah Wa Al-Adhkar
This is what was printed. The Shaykh has comments on some books, such as:
1. Bulugh Al-Maram
2. Taqrib Al-Tah-dhib by Al-Hafizh ibn Hajar (not print)
3. Al-Tuhfah Al-Karimah Fi Bayan Kathir Min Al-Ahadith Al-Mawdu`ah Wa Al-Saqimah
4. Tuhfat Ahl Al-`Ilm Wa Al-Iman Bi Mukhtarat Min Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah Wa Al-Hisan, and many other
books.
Other Posts Occupied:
1. A royal decree was issued appointing him as Chairman of the Departments of Scholarly Research,
Ifta', Da`wah, and Guidance, then as Grand Mufty of the Kingdom and Chairman of the Council of
Senior Scholars and the Departments of Scholarly Research and Ifta’.
2. Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'.
3. Chairman and member of the Constituting Council of the Muslim World League.
4. Chairman of the World Supreme Council for Mosques.
5. Chairman of the Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League in Makkah.
6. Member of the High Council of the Islamic University in Al-Madinah.
7. Member of the HighAuthority of the Islamic Call.
His activities were not limited to what has been mentioned; he delivered lectures, attended scholarly seminars,
and commented on them. This is in addition to enjoining good and forbidding evil, which became one of his
characteristics.
May Allah help us benefit from his knowledge.
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His Death:
Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah be merciful to him)diedon Thursday, 27 Muharram, 1420 A.H. when he was 89 years
old. He spent his life exerting his utmost efforts to seek good deeds, attain knowledge, call to Allah, fight in
Allah’s Cause, fulfill the needs of Muslims, and help them. May Allah be merciful to him, forgive him, give him
access to His Spacious Paradise, lighten his grave, let him dwell with the pious, and gather us with him in the
abode of His Honor and Mercy.
So many people offered the Funeral Prayer over him after the Friday Prayer, which gives evidence to the fact of
how much he was loved.
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His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul-Razzaq ibn `Afify ibn `Atiyyah
His Birth:
Shaykh `Abdul-Razzaq ibn `Afify ibn `Atiyyah was born in Shanshur, Ashmoun Center, Al-Munufiyyah
Governorate in 1323 A.H.
His Educational Background:
After finishing elementary, preparatory, and secondary school, Shaykh `Abdul-Razzaq gained his Master's
degree in 1351 A.H. and his Ph.D. in Jurisprudence and its Principles from Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
His Work:
He was appointed as a teacher in the Educational Institute of Al-Azhar. He was then seconded to the Saudi
Ministry of Education as a teacher in 1368 A.H., corresponding to 1949 A.D. He was then appointed as a
teacher at the Dar at-Tawhid in Ta'if. In 1370 A.H., he was transferred to the Educational Institute in `Unayzah
in Muharram. He was then transferred to Riyadh towards the end of Shawwal in 1370 A.H. to teach at the
Educational Institute of His Eminence Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al Al-Shaykh. He was transferred to teach
in the faculties of Shari`ah and Linguistics, and in 1385 A.D. was appointed as the Principal of the High Judicial
Institute. He was transferred to the General Presidency of the Departments of Scholarly Research, Ifta',
Da`wah, and Guidance in 1391 A.H. He was subsequently appointed as both Deputy Chairman of the
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' and as a member of the Council of Senior Scholars in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Allah endowed him with the gift of strong memory, observation, and understanding of oneself. He dedicated his
efforts to seeking knowledge outside Al-Azhar University and attached great importance to the linguistics,
exegesis, principles of jurisprudence, beliefs, and Sunnah. Such was his knowledge, that if someone was to
speak to him about any of these subjects, then the listener would think he was a specialist in the field spending
all his time on it.
He paid special attention to studying the conditions of the different sects. This made the students of knowledge
approach and listen to him all the time, and many people benefitted from his knowledge. He also supervised the
theses of the postgraduate students, took part in the committees discussing the theses, gave lessons to the
students of knowledge in the mosques, gave lectures, and took part in the work of the Da`wah centers at the
time of Hajj.
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