What is the ruling on demolishing the room of a righteous man to convert it into a charitable house, given the belief that whoever demolishes it will be afflicted with harm?
Worshiping by lighting candles or offering money to a room, or intending to supplicate therein, is not part of the religion of Muslims. Rather, it is part of the religion of Christians and disbelievers, and it is manifest (polytheism) and an innovation.
If the room has a specific owner, he should be asked to prevent such practices. If he does not comply, then it is obligatory to demolish it. However, if it does not have a specific owner, there is no harm in demolishing it; indeed, it becomes necessary if preventing people is impossible without it.
When demolishing, care must be taken not to incur a greater harm or a worse evil, such as if its demolition leads to its rebuilding in a more alluring manner. In such a case, the focus should be on inviting people to monotheism and explaining the gravity of shirk.
The belief that whoever demolishes the room will be harmed is a false belief, akin to the belief of the polytheists.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 51943
- Imported
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