Question
There was a space at the rear end of the Musjid. It was a space that led to the basement which is also part of the Musjid and it is used for itikaaf every year. That space was recently enclosed and so to say made into a room. It is part of the musjid.
Can that be used as an office? It will be used as an office relating to the general affairs of the musjid/madrasah.
Answer
A similar question was posed to the Grand Mufti of India, Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Gangohi Saheb Rahimahullah with regard to utilizing a room of the Masjid for attending to various needs of the general public such as assisting the needy and underprivileged. Hadhrat Rahimahullah responded by saying that the room that has been specifically built for the benefit of the Masjid is considered as Waqf and should not be used for any other purpose. If there is a need for an office, a room should be hired for this purpose.
Coming to our scenario, we too are of the opinion that the Masjid area (as described in your query) which has been made Waqf for the Aa’maal/activities of the Masjid (Salaah, I’tikaaf, etc) should not be utilized for admin work. It is very possible that employees whilst working in an office environment become negligent or lax in their attitude and perhaps overlook the sanctity of the Masjid during their conversations or even whilst surfing the net, etc.
We therefore advise that an additional room be built on the Masjid/Madrasah land, but outside of the actual Masjid area; wherein the admin work of the Masjid and Madrasah may be conducted. However, this will be with the proviso that such land has been donated for both the Masjid and Madrasah. If the land has been donated only for the Masjid, then only the Masjid admin work can be conducted from the room/office built thereon. If there is no such land/space available, then a room can be hired somewhere close by for this objective.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.