Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I would like to ask what is the ruling on certain Masājid in the UK that have a membership rule which allows only people of their own caste/ ethnicity to become members. For example, Indians only, Bharuchis only, Surtis only.
All Muslims can pray in the mosque, but not all Muslims can be members. We even have certain schools which claim to be Islamic but give preference to their own caste first. That is for the living, now we come on to the dead! There are cemeteries that have a rule, Bharuchis only to be buried here (in London).
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathabah Institute.
Islamicaly, this type of membership and management of muslim public properties such as masājid and cemeteries leads to division, discrimination, tribalism and racism. These are the very practices that the religion of Islam came to put an end too.
Any stipulations in such places of waqf (endowment) or public use, that conflict with Islamic law, are impermissible and forbidden. – (See: Al-Dur Al-Mukhtār, Vol 4, Page 343, Dār Al-Fikr[1], Fatāwā Dār Al-‘Ulūm Zakariyyah, Vol 4, Page 657)
“Act justly. Indeed, Allāh loves those who act justly.” – (Qur’ān 49:9)[2]
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh, is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Acquainted.” – (Qur’ān 49:13)[3]
“The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of a body; when one limb suffers the entire body joins it in sleeplessness and fever.” – (Muslim 2586)[4]
“A believer for another believer is like a building; each part of it supports the other,” and he interlocked his fingers.” – (Bukhārī 481)[5]
“O People, indeed your Lord is one and your father is one. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non Arab or for a non Arab over an Arab. [Similarly, there is no superiority] for a black person over a caucasian, or for a caucasian over a black person except through taqwā (piety). Indeed, the most noble of you by Allāh, is the most pious of you.” – (Musnad Aḥmad 22978)[6]
“[Unlawful pride is] to reject the truth and to belittle people.” – (Muslim 265)[7]
Only Allāh knows best.
[1] إِنَّ شَرَائِطَ الْوَاقِفِ مُعْتَبَرَةٌ إذَا لَمْ تُخَالِفْ الشَّرْعَ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين ج٤/ ص٣٤٣ دار الفكر
[2] وَأَقْسِطُوا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ – الحجرات ٩
[3] يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ – الحجرات ١٣
[4] مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّ – المسلم ٢٥٨٦
[5] إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا وَشَبَّكَ أَصَابِعَهُ – البخاري ٤٨١
[6] يا أيها الناس ألا إن ربكم واحد وإن أباكم واحد ألا لا فضل لعربي على أعجمي ولا لعجمي على عربي ولا لأحمر على أسود ولا أسود على أحمر إلا بالتقوى – مسند الإمام أحمد ٢٢٩٧٨
[7] بَطَرُ الْحَقِّ وَغَمْطُ النَّاسِ – المسلم ٢٦٥
