بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
وَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ أَن يُذۡكَرَ فِيہَا ٱسۡمُهُ ۥ وَسَعَىٰ فِى خَرَابِهَآۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمۡ أَن يَدۡخُلُوهَآ إِلَّا خَآٮِٕفِينَۚ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا خِزۡىٌ۬ وَلَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ۬
“Who is more cruel than the one who prevents the mosques of Allah from His name being recited therein, and strives for their destruction? It was not for such men to enter them except in awe. For them there is disgrace in this world, and for them there is a mighty punishment in the other world.” (114)
Ruling: From the initial part of the verse, the ruling is derived that it is haram to prevent anyone from observing their prayers or remembering Allah in a mosque. For example, not allowing someone to enter a mosque so that he can pray and read Quran. Another such example is to make some kind of noise in the mosque and by doing such disturb people in their prayer or remembrance of Allah. (Maarif Al Quran V1 pg 297)
Ruling: All methods of desecration of a mosque are haram. This not only refers to demolishing a mosque, but to create circumstances that would lead to the eventual destruction of the mosque. Examples of circumstances that would lead to the eventual destruction of the mosque, could include the scenario where the mosque is physically unkept and therefore would fall apart in the future. But it also includes the scenario where such people take charge of its affairs who become a hindrance to its spiritual and educational activities, and due to the occurrence of this hindrance, the mosque would be destroyed from a spiritual and educative aspect. As well, the preventing of individuals to certain people from entering the mosque so it would become empty. (Maarif Al Quran V1 pg 297)
Ruling: Based on the part of the verse “It was not for such men to enter…” the mathaahib differed in regard to a kafir entering the masjid. The Hanafi’s give permission for non-Muslims to enter all masjids including the three haram’s. The proof the Hanafi’s give in regard to the non-believers entering all Masajid, including the three haram’s, is this verse. The verse gives permission for non-believers to enter Masajid. It says they can enter in a state of fear or humility. Another proof is that the Prophet ﷺ during the conquest of Mecca, made an announcement that all are safe who enter the Ka’bah (Abu Dawud). Another proof is that when the Banu Thaqeef came to Mecca after its conquest, the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to stay in the Masjid, where they were given invitation towards Islam. (Abu Dawud) (Ruh Al-Maani V2 pg 401 )
