What is the ruling on a person building a mosque with donated funds on land he owns, and then leasing it to a governmental institution?
Whoever collects donations for building a mosque must spend them for the purpose for which they were collected. If he deviates from that and uses them for his personal benefit, he is betraying the trust and violating the words of Allah Almighty: "O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know." (Quran 8:27). He would also be characterized by a trait of the hypocrites. These funds remain a debt upon him. As for the building, it remains his property unless he dedicates it as an endowment (waqf) for the sake of Allah. Scholars differed on what constitutes a mosque as an endowment: The Hanafis held that its ownership does not cease until he dedicates it and permits people to pray in it, and if even one person prays in it, his ownership ceases. The Malikis held that its dedication as a waqf is established by allowing people to pray in it. The Shafi'is stipulated uttering the formula of endowment. If it is established that the builder endowed it, he is not permitted to dispose of it by selling or leasing. If that is not established, it remains his property, and he may dispose of it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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