musjid

Is the Isipingo Beach Musjid a Musjid-e-kabeer?

Q: Isipingo Beach Jaami' Musjid has the following measurements. Please advise if it is a Musjid-ul-Kabir or Musjid-us-Saghir.

1. 369,93 square metres. This includes the Musjid and the Sahen area. It excludes the gallery upstairs and it excludes the wudhu khana which is designated as Musjid area.

2. 295,14 square metres. This is the musjid area only. It excludes the sahen, the gallery upstairs and the wudhu khana designated as musjid area.

Waswasas and doubts

Q: At the time of flushing the toilet at home, a number of drops splashed out from the toilet on to the toilet floor. Having stepped on these drops, I walked in the house and then walked outside in the same slippers. The ground outside was wet in patches as it had been raining. I then accidentally stepped in a muddy puddle with the same slippers. This caused water to seep through my leather and cotton socks with some moisture getting on to my feet. Before stepping on to the Masjid carpet, I removed my slippers, both pairs of socks and stepped on to the carpet. Some moisture passed from my feet on to the carpet. I walked through the carpeted masjid and went to the Wudhu area and washed my feet. In addition I carefully left my leather socks on the carpet before proceeding to the Wudhu Khana. They were wet from having stepped in the puddle but I tried to be careful not to put the wet part of the leather socks on the Masjid carpet, but now I am having a doubt as to exercised sufficient caution in this matter, i.e. there is a distinct possibility that the wetness on the leather sock went on to the carpet. Is the Masjid carpet which I walked on paak to perform Salah on or do I have to undertake the difficult task of informing the Masjid to wash the carpet?

Muslim organisation purchasing a building for Da'wah purposes

Q: A Muslim Association is hoping to purchasing a building for dawah; with a view to run a madrasah, a welfare centre and also a salaah room (musjid) therein. The property is intended to be an endowment (waqf), eventually. However, we have no funds to pay for this building, as yet. A couple of brothers have offered to buy the building (using their own money) and give it to the Association on favourable rent, until the Association is able to collect the necessary funds and pay for the building, outright. In order to save on the property registry costs, the financiers have agreed that the building can be registered in the Association's name at the first purchase while they will retain the ownership through a private agreement that if the Association failed to raise the funds and buy it within a ten years period, the Association will have to sell the property and the proceeds will go to the brothers who paid for it. But hopefully the Association will be able to raise charity funds and pay for the building, the private agreement will come to an end and the Association will declare the property a charitable endowment. They also agree to sell half the building ownership to the Association on half the payment and proportional ownership for proportional capital in the building at anytime during the ten years. However, some brothers are disputing this arrangement and feel that the official registration will make the Association the owner, despite the price being paid by two private individuals. They say that any rent paid by the Association will in fact be 'interest' on the 'loan'. They are asking the brothers to give their money as a goodly loan with no return for the ten years but the financiers are unable to do this. Please clarify the following points in the light of shariah;

1. Is a partnership between a charity Association and private individuals impermissible in shariah?

2. Does the registry document make the ownership in shariah or it belongs to whoever has paid for the property?

3. Does a building become a charity endowment (waqf) on the basis of a 'future' intention, even before it has been bought or while it is in private ownership or shared private ownership?

4. Will any rent or partial rent paid to the private individuals (for their share in ownership) be 'halal' rent or 'haram' interest?

5. Is it permissible to setup a masjid room in a rented or in a shared ownership premises?

6. Is it excusable to embarrass someone with a request for goodly loan after they have made an investment proposal (seeking a modest return, almost half the income their capital is currently providing)?

Please clarify these points in detail as any remaining confusion will cause us difficulty. Kindly suggest any ways to overcome any mistakes commonly made in such partnerships. If it is permissible to raise finance through private partnership, as described above, we will be able to buy this property and receive the future goodness, inshaAllah. However, if it is not permissible, through your help, Allah Subhanahu will protect us from being sinful. Jazakumullaho Khaira.

Performing multiple Jummah Salaahs in one Musjid

Q: Is it permissible to perform multiple Friday (Jummah) Jamaats/congregation due to lack of space here in West? The masjids are far away and are small so cannot hold many people, due to which they perform multiple jamaats, so is it permissible? Also please tell us what if the same Imam who performed the first jamaat also performs the second Jamaat as well? Would the second prayer be valid? Please tell us about praying Friday in a masjid where the Khutbah is given in English instead of Arabic? I cannot find any masjid in our area where they give the khutbah in Arabic? Will the prayer be valid?