Reference: Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa., – Volume 6, Page 276, Fatwa No.2922
Question: What is the ruling on non-Muslims entering the masaajid?
Response: The Muslims are not permitted to allow any disbeliever to enter al-Masjid al-Haraam or the entire Haram that is around it, due to His Statement:
{O you who believe! Verily the polytheists are filthy, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haraam after this year of theirs}
As for other masaajid, then some of the fuqahaa (jurists) have said that it is permissible due to the absence of any evidence to prohibit it, while others said that it is not permissible, making qiyaas with al-Masjid al-Haraam.
The correct position is that it is permissible when it has a shar’ee (Islaamically legal) benefit, or there is a need for it, like the non-Muslim hearing something that may lead him to enter into Islaam, since the Prophet ﷺ tied up Thumaamah ibn Athaal al-Hanafee in the masjid before he accepted Islaam, and the delegation from Thaqeef and one from the Christians of Najraan came to the masjid before they accepted Islaam, due to the numerous benefits in that, like their hearing the addresses of the Prophet ﷺ and his admonitions, their witnessing the people praying and reading [Qur.aan], and other great benefits that do not reach someone who does not keep to the masjid.
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family and his companions.
