Is it permissible to rent a demolished mosque from the Ministry of Awqaf and convert it into a garden?
If a mosque is demolished and needs renovation, efforts must be made to do so, and its land must remain an endowment. However, if there are no longer any worshippers and the authority supervising endowments deems it impossible to use, then some scholars permit leasing or selling its land and spending the proceeds on another mosque. Imam Ahmad supported this by citing Umar's action (may Allah be pleased with him) in moving the treasury, and by stating that an endowment may not be sold unless its benefits are entirely ceased. Imam Ahmad also permitted selling the land of a dilapidated mosque that has no neighbors and no one to maintain it, and spending its proceeds on another mosque. The majority of scholars hold that an endowment cannot be sold, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): "If you wish, you can consecrate its essence and give it in charity, on condition that its essence is not to be sold, inherited, or gifted."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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