The Prohibition of Idolaters Maintaining Allah’s Mosques

Tafsi‌r Ibn Kathīr: The Inappropriateness of Idolaters in Allah’s Mosques

IT IS NOT FOR IDOLATERS TO MAINTAIN THE MOSQUES OF ALLĀH

ALLĀH says;

مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُواْ مَسَاجِدَ الله شَاهِدِينَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ بِالْكُفْرِ

It is not for the polytheists, to maintain the Masjids of ALLĀH, while they witness against themselves of disbelief.

ALLĀH says that it is not fitting that those who associate others with ALLĀH in worship should maintain the Masjids of ALLĀH that were built in HIS Name alone without partners.

Those who read the Ayah, “Masjid ALLĀH”, 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 ALLĀH alone without partners. It was built by Khalil Ar-Rahman (the Prophet Ibrahim) peace be upon him.

The idolaters 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!”‘

أُوْلَيِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ

The works of such are in vain,

because of their Shirk,

وَفِي النَّارِ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ

and in Fire shall they abide.

{Tafsi‌r Ibn Kathīr}