Question Summary:
Praying at a “Musallah” owned through a mortgage that has not been cleared

Question Detail:

I would like to know is it allowed or prohibited to pray at Musallah which is :

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

There are two aspects to the query. One is the mortgage (interest bearing loan) for the house. The other issue is using the basement as a musalla.

With regard to mortgage of the house, it is well known that it is haraam. That is a sin upon the owner.

The second issue is performing salaah in such a place. In principle, the salaah performed there will be valid. However the public know the seriousness of mortgage and it being a major sin. The public would come to perform salaah, make ibaadat, cleanse themselves and spiritually uplift themselves. If the public is aware of the house being mortgaged and used as a musalla, the resentment towards interest may make them uncomfortable and may not achieve the desired spirituality by performing salaah in such a place.

While the sincerity of the owner should be appreciated, he should be advised to pay off the mortgage as soon as possible to avoid any disruption in the public. If possible, assist the owner to pay the mortgage.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Aboobakr Siddeeq bin Mufti Amjad Mohammad

Student Darul Iftaa 

Azaadville, JHB, South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.