Title: Who Can and Cannot Enter and Pray in a Mosque? Question: InshaAllah this question reaches you in the best of health and Iman . I apologize if it has been previously posted; simply send me the link and I will read it. The question came up if 'non-Muslims' are allowed to pray in the mosque. It is important to cite the different kinds of non-Muslims existing; those who believe in Allah (swt) and not His Messenger (sws), or those who don't believe anything, or those who associate partners with Allah (swt).... etc. The discussion focuses on Christians... who believe in the Trinity, and therefore by nature associate things with Allah (swt). Credible arguments were brought up to support both views: I am of the opinion that those non-Muslims who do not commit shirk are allowed to enter and pray in the mosque. For example, an atheist or Jew or Christian who denounces Trinity. This is from the ayah 9:17... "It is not for such as join gods with Allah, to visit or maintain the mosques of Allah while they witness against their own souls to infidelity. The works of such bear no fruit; in fire shall they dwell." To my knowledge this is the only ayah in Qur'an that refers to ALL Mosques; any other ayah regarding who can and cannot enter a mosque, specifies that it is Ka'aba the ayah refers to. So the discussion ended up focusing on this single ayah . Since Christians who believe in the Trinity commit shirk , and since the Qur'an uses the word mushrik in this ayah , it can be inferred that these Christians should not pray in the mosque. The counter argument is to look at how Qur'an depicts Christians as People of the Book and People of the Book are never described as polytheists. Also, 'they witness against their own souls' apparently means different things to different people. To support the argument that Christians believing in Trinity cannot pray; this part of the verse can mean that they sincerely believe that God has a son. To Counter the argument, this part of the verse can imply that although they commit shirk , Christians in their heart believe they are a monotheistic people. And Allah knows best. Are Christians who practice Trinity polytheists? And who exactly can an cannot ENTER and PRAY (both) in the mosque? Jeza kullah khair, salaamo alaikum . Murtuza Salahuddin Answer: Your question entails two separate issues: Firstly, can non-Muslims visit mosques; and secondly, can non-Muslims pray and worship in mosques. As for the first question, according to my understanding, excepting those who clearly ascribe partners to God, non-Muslims may visit mosques, as there is nothing in the Qur'an, which prohibits them from doing so. It should be kept in mind that the Qur'an has used the word 'Mushrik' (polytheist) only for those, who clearly ascribe partners to God. In other words, the Qur'an does not use the word 'Mushrik' for those, who ascribe to polytheism, by implication, on the contrary, it calls those 'polytheists', who expressly ascribe to polytheism. Thus, even though the Qur'an has referred to some of the incorrect beliefs of the Jews and the Christians, including Trinity, yet not at a single instance has it clearly called them 'Mushrik' [1] . As for the second question, I really do not see any reason why non-Muslims would like to worship or pray in mosques? Most of the creeds in the world have their own places and rituals of worship, which are significantly different from the others. Thus, it seems quite unlikely that a non-Muslim should like to pray and worship in a mosque. Nevertheless, in case a non-Muslim, who is not a polytheist, wants to pray in a mosque, the Shari`ah does not prohibit Muslims from allowing him to do so. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad November 16, 2001 [1] For details on this topic, please refer to one of my previous responses to a question, which may be accessed at: http://www.understanding-islam.com/related/questions.jsp?point=3&id=140