Transliteration:( maa kaana lilmushrikeena ai ya'muroo masaajidal laahi shaahideena 'alaaa anfusihim bilkufr; ulaaa'ika habitat a'maaluhum wa fin naari hum khaalidoon )
The polytheists have no right to visit [36] the Mosque of Allah, bearing witness [37] to their infidelity against themselves. Their entire deeds are destroyed [38], and they shall remain in the Fire of Hell forever.
From this, we learn that infidels are not permitted to engage in worship within Muslim mosques, nor should any donations be accepted from them for mosque-related purposes. The construction, maintenance, and acts of worship within mosques are all part of establishing the sanctity of Allah’s house, a responsibility reserved for Muslims alone.
Accordingly:
Only Muslims should be employed for mosque-related duties.
The case of the Jewish youth allowed to sweep the mosque was based on the hope of his embracing Islam.
The worship by Christians from Najran in Masjid-e-Nabawi occurred without the Prophet’s ﷺ explicit permission, and while it wasn’t stopped, it also wasn’t sanctioned.
Similarly, when a Bedouin urinated in the mosque, the Prophet ﷺ allowed him to finish before having the area thoroughly cleansed, prioritizing education over harshness.
This means that idolatry and the sacredness of the mosque cannot be combined. Their core beliefs and practices are entirely opposed to Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), and thus polytheists cannot share sacred space with Muslims.
This rule applies to all disbelievers, whether:
they mimic Islam outwardly (like Mirzais), or
they are completely outside the Islamic framework (like Jews and others).
Here we learn that the good deeds of disbelievers—such as serving the mosque, building guesthouses (Musafir Khanas), or digging wells—will carry no reward in the Hereafter. Their disbelief nullifies the eternal value of their actions.
However, some disbelievers may receive reduced punishment due to their virtuous actions. A well-known example is Hazrat Abu Talib, whose support and kindness toward the Prophet ﷺ resulted in his punishment being lessened, though not eliminated.
Their final destination remains the Hellfire, but Divine justice considers every act—even if only to lessen torment.
17. It is not for the Mushrikin, to maintain the Masjids of Allah, while they witness against themselves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide. 18. The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; perform the Salah, and give Zakah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are on true guidance.
Allah says that it is not fitting that those who associate others with Allah in worship should maintain the Masjids of Allah that were built in His Name alone without partners. Those who read the Ayah, “Masjid Allah”, said that it refers to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the most honored Masjid on the earth, which was built, from the first day, for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone without partners. It was built by Khalil Ar-Rahman (the Prophet Ibrahim) peace be upon him. The idolators do this while they themselves testify to their disbelief with their statements and actions. As-Suddi said, “If you ask a Christian, `What is your religion’, He will tell you he is a Christian. If you ask a Jew about his religion, he will say he is a Jew, and the same for a Sabi’ and a Mushrik!”’
(The works of such are in vain), because of their Shirk,
(and in Fire shall they abide.) Allah said in another Ayah,
(And why should not Allah punish them while they hinder (men) from Al-Masjid Al-Haram, and they are not its guardians None can be its guardians except those with Taqwa, but most of them know not.)﴿8:34﴾.
Allah said,
(The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.) Therefore, Allah testifies to the faith of those who maintain the Masjids. `Abdur-Razzaq narrated that `Amr bin Maymun Al-Awdi said, “I met the Companions of the Prophet and they were saying, `The Masjids are the Houses of Allah on the earth. It is a promise from Allah that He is generous to those who visit Him in the Masjids.,” Allah said next,
(perform the Salah), one of the major acts of worship practiced by the body,
(and give the Zakah), which is the best act that benefits other people,
(and fear none but Allah), they fear only Allah, the Exalted, and none else,
(It is they who are on true guidance.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said about Allah’s statement,
(The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day;) “He who singles out Allah (in worship), has faith in the Last Day.” ﴿And he said﴾; “He who believes in what Allah has revealed,
(perform the Salah), establishes the five daily prayers,
(and fear none but Allah.), worships Allah alone,
(it may be they who are on true guidance.) Allah says, `It is they who are the successful ones in truth.’ Similarly, Allah said to His Prophet ,
(It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqam Mahmud)﴿17:79﴾. Allah says here, `Your Lord (O Muhammad) shall grant you a station of praise, that is, the intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).’ Every `might’ in the Qur’an means `shall’.”
(9:17) It does not become those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity to visit and tend Allah’s mosques while they bear witness of unbelief against themselves.[19] All their works have gone to waste.[20] They shall abide in the Fire.
19. This lays down the general principle for the guardianship of the places of worship that have been built exclusively for the worship of Allah. Obviously, those people who associate others with Allah in His essence, His rights and His powers cannot be the proper persons to be the guardians, the servants, the managers etc. of such sacred places. And when they themselves reject the invitations to Tauhid, and openly declare that they are not going to dedicate their worship and obedience exclusively o Allah, they automatically forfeit any right they had for the guardianship of such places of worship that had been built for the worship of Allah alone. Though the principle is of a general nature, it has been mentioned here with the particular object of removing the mushriks from the guardianship of the Kaabah and Masjid-i-Haram and establishing permanently the guardianship of the worshipers of one God over them.
20. “Their deeds have become worthless”: including the little real service they did to the house of Allah because they mixed with it shirk and other practices of ignorance. Their little good was destroyed by their far greater evils.
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