What is the ruling on praying in a mosque established within an institution funded by the municipality for non-religious activities, with its expenses covered by this funding? Is it permissible to set up a shop for selling foodstuffs in the same place without the permission of the funders and local authorities, considering the resulting constriction of space and obstruction of women's exit from the prayer hall?

The workers in the institution should have sought permission from the responsible party to establish a prayer room (musalla) and fund it from the institution's money. If they did not agree, then it is not permissible to spend from the institution's money on it, as it constitutes an encroachment on the funds of others and a violation of funding conditions. If this has occurred, they must seek approval for the current musalla and for spending on it. If the request is denied, and the funding entity is the owner or lessee of the place, then praying in the musalla is unlawful (haram) because it is usurped, though it is valid according to the majority of scholars, but invalid according to Imam Ahmad. Likewise, it is not permissible to establish a shop without permission because it is an encroachment and may expose them to accountability and humiliation. The brothers must also ensure that the institution's operations are free from unlawful (haram) acts; otherwise, it is not permissible to continue working there.