Question Summary:
Does the basement under the main hall of the Masjid form part of the Masjid?

Question Detail:

Mufti Saheb, you are familiar with the Masajid here in North America.
 
Most of them have basements under the main hall of the Masjid.
These basements are used for many purposes like Deeni programs, Madrasah classes, youth programs,
Da’wats, where food is served, community bake sales etc. Some Masajid have gyms in their basements also.
 
What do Ulema have to say about the basements here in North America?
 
1. Is the basement part of the Masjid or not? If the basement is part of the Masjid then can the abovementioned activities be held in the basement?
2. Can only the Main Prayer Hall upstairs be designated as Masjid?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, the area directly above and beneath the Masjid proper is also Masjid.[1] However, if the Wāqif (endower of a Masjid) excludes the area above or beneath the Masjid from forming part of Masjid prior to the establishment of the Masjid, then this is permissible on condition that the area excluded is also Waqf (an endowment) and is used either for the benefit of the Masjid or the benefit of general Muslims.[2]
In the enquired case, if the Wāqif (endower) designated the basement area for the benefit of general Muslims at the time of establishing the Masjid, then the basement area will not be regarded as Masjid, although it will be Waqf for the benefit of general Muslims. Hence, the respect and honor required for a Masjid will not be necessary in such a basement.[3]
However, if the Wāqif did not exclude the basement from forming part of the Masjid at the time of the Masjid’s establishment, then the basement cannot be excluded from being a Masjid at a later point. The basement will remain a Masjid.
Considering the situation of the Masājid in North America, it seems that the basements were never intended to form part of the Masjid. In fact, they were regarded to be an area designated for the benefit of general Muslims. If this is so, then the basements do not form part of the Masājid and the etiquettes required for a Sharī Masjid will not apply to such basements.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.