Can You Trade in a Mosque? What Islam Says About It

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trading in mosque, trading in masjid, mosque, masjid,

Can You Trade in a Mosque? ~ Hello, readers! In the previous article, I discussed the rules regarding music and singing in a mosque. We have already covered some important aspects related to mosques. In this article, I will explain the ruling on trading in a mosque.

As we know, trading is one of the common occupations that many people engage in. It is considered a quick way to earn money. Even Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) engaged in trade. However, the question remains: is it permissible to trade inside a mosque?

As usual, before answering this question, I will share two hadiths that specifically relate to our discussion.

Hadith About Trading in a Mosque

The hadiths regarding trading in a mosque are as follows:

Hadith 1

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ مَنْ سَمِعَ رَجُلًا يُنْشِدُ ضَالَةً فِيْ الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيَقُلْ ؛ لَا رَدَّهَا اللهُ عَلَيْكَ ، فَإِنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لَمْ تُبْنَ لِهَذَا . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه), he said, "The Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said, 'Whoever hears someone searching for lost items in the mosque, then let him say, "May Allah not return it to you. Indeed, mosques are not built for this purpose."' The hadith is narrated by Muslim.

The Reward for Cleaning a Masjid

Hadith 2

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ؛ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَبِيْعُ أَوْ يَبْتَاعُ فِيْ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُوْلُوْا لَهُ ؛ لَا أَرْبَحَ اللهُ تِجَارَتَكَ . رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيُّ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ

From Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said, "If you see someone buying or selling in a mosque, tell him, 'May Allah not benefit your trade.'" This hadith is narrated by an-Nasa'i and at-Tirmidhi.

Key Points from the Hadiths

There are several important points related to the two hadiths above that we need to understand:

Searching for Lost Items

The first hadith explains the prohibition of searching for lost items inside the mosque. Typically, people lose sandals, shoes, or even money in mosques. If this happens, it is better not to search for the lost item. We must be willing to lose what was left behind in the mosque.

Trade in Mosques

The second hadith explains that trade should not be carried out in the mosque. The mosque is a place of worship, not a marketplace.

Purpose of Mosques

Both hadiths emphasize that the main purpose of constructing a mosque is for worship. Therefore, mosques should not be used for worldly activities like trading.

Conclusion: Is Trading Allowed in a Mosque?

Based on the two hadiths and the brief explanation provided, we can conclude that trading in a mosque is not permissible. This is because mosques are primarily places of worship, and should not be used for commercial activities.

Do you understand this ruling? If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I hope this article was beneficial to you. May Allah make it useful for you! Ameen.

See you in the next article!

Akhmad Syafiuddin
Akhmad Syafiuddin An expert in Islamic discourse and law, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 comments

Comment Author Avatar
Omar
January 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM Delete
Wow, what an eye-opening article! As a new Muslim, I've been trying to understand the deeper aspects of Islamic teachings, and this article explained everything so clearly. For a long time, I've been curious about the rules regarding trading in mosques. This article not only answered my question but also provided such a detailed explanation backed by hadiths. I'm incredibly grateful to the author for this effort—thank you so much for making this topic easy to understand for someone like me who is still learning!

The two hadiths mentioned really stood out to me. They emphasize the sanctity of mosques and their primary purpose as places of worship. I never thought about how worldly activities like trading or even searching for lost items could distract people from focusing on their connection with Allah. The explanation of the hadiths, especially how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed us to discourage such actions, really gave me a new perspective on the etiquette and purpose of mosques.

I also appreciate the way this article explains the prohibition in a simple and relatable way. It's clear that mosques are sacred spaces meant for spiritual growth, not for worldly transactions. The point about being willing to let go of lost items in a mosque really made me think about detachment from material possessions, which is such an important value in Islam.

The way the article connects the hadiths to the broader purpose of mosques was so enlightening. It reminded me that as Muslims, we need to respect the sanctity of our places of worship and focus on their true purpose—prayer, reflection, and seeking closeness to Allah.

Overall, I found this article not just informative but also inspiring. It answered my question thoroughly and helped me see the wisdom behind Islamic rulings. Thank you again for sharing this knowledge and for making it accessible to people like me who are eager to learn. May Allah reward you for your efforts and grant you success in spreading beneficial knowledge. I can't wait to read more of your articles in the future!
Comment Author Avatar
January 13, 2025 at 6:13 AM Delete
Hi Omar,

Ameen.

You're welcome and thank you for reading this article.

Regards,