FatwaPenangEndowment (Waqf) & Religious Property
MERUNTUHKAN MASJID LAMA
What are the rulings on handling the site and building materials when an old mosque is demolished and replaced with a new one?
Short answer
The site of the old mosque is waqf and must be preserved, and building a new mosque on it is described as commendable.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Penang State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Keputusan Fatwa Negeri Pulau Pinang (e-Fatwa)
- Topic
- Endowment (Waqf) & Religious Property
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The site of the old mosque is waqf and must be preserved, and building a new mosque on it is described as commendable. The materials remain waqf and are to be looked after as a mosque would be. Surplus usable materials go to any mosque, or failing that to a madrasah or surau, without being sold to them. If no one wants them, they may be sold and the proceeds remain waqf for that mosque, while unusable materials may be disposed of by burning or burying.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Berkenaan dengan bahan-bahan, bahan-bahan itu tetap wakaf dan hendaklah dipelihara bahan-bahan itu sepertimana dipelihara masjid juga.
Read the full fatwa on the Penang website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Penang State Mufti Department. “MERUNTUHKAN MASJID LAMA”, 24 July 1995. http://efatwa.penang.gov.my/fatwa_details.php?fatwaid=1206. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-demolishing-an-old-mosque-site-materials/