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:

As Salam Alaikum !

Dear Brother in Islam, I am facing a unique problem that many of us might have not faced. I am one of the responsible person in the masjid (member of masjid management). Some other members would like to bring a Table Tennis game in masjid. They are convincing other people by saying that this is to attract youngsters, so that they can come to masjid. We have have a basement in the masjid, which is used for sisters praying area and also for teaching kids (Quranic classes).

Once a question was asked to our shaik, whether a woman can come to masjid and sit in that women's area(same basement) in her mensus periods, then the Shaik replied NO, as this is considered to be part of the masjid. Now same Shaik is encouraging to allow playing Table Tennis games in that area. I wanted to present them with a good answer so that we can stop this fitna. Could you please help me in finding an authentic Hadith and/or a qurranic verse that describes this kind of situation.

We are having a meeting tonight (EST). It will be a great help if you send me a reply ASAP. Atleast advise me, if I am wrong, so that I can stop worriying about this.

May Allah reward you for your help.

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Answer:

Games in masjid area

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

In essence, the masjid is an area which acts as a community center for the believers, where they all gather to worship the One Lord, where the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah are learnt and taught, etc. In the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina at the time of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the mosque was used as a place of worshipping, a place of gathering for the believers, a consultation center, a sort of Court room where Shariah verdicts were given, a place where war-planning was conducted, a place which would house muslim and non-muslim guests alike, a place where sadaqah was distributed, and even a place where at times prisoners or war were kept! Basically it was used as a central place or town hall for the believing community.

To create a permanent amusement center or play area in the midst of a mosque would not be a particularly good idea; but if some brothers think that by keeping a table-tennis table, which would encourage the young to get close to the masjid, and thus encourage them to perform their prayers in congregation on time, or join the classes of Quran and Sunnah studies being conducted in the mosque, etc.; then there is absolutely no harm in doing so. It all depends on the intention of the brothers propagating this idea. There is absolutely no ‘daleel’ in the Quran and Sunnah which forbids one enjoying a legal sport in the precinct of a masjid.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan