Is it permissible to lie down and sleep (when others perform prayers) in the mosque?

Is it permissible to lie down and sleep (when others perform prayers) in the mosque?

Dear Brother / Sister,

In the religion of Islam, the mosque has an important place. It is a place of dhikr, meditation and worshipping; it is also a holy place allocated for begging and praying to Allah. Therefore, it is not appropriate to eat and sleep in the mosque unless there is a necessity. However, it is permissible for strangers to sleep in the mosque.

Therefore, hajjis have a rest and sleep in Masjid al-Haram around the Kaaba and in Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah today as they did in the past and nobody prevents them.

Some scholars say it is permissible to sleep in mosque for both strangers (guests) and the people living in that area. For instance, Ibn Hajar says,

"It is permissible to sleep in the mosque because Ahl as-Suffa stayed in the mosque all the time."(1)

Some of Salaf as-Salihin say it is makruh to sleep in the mosque for everybody. (2)

References:

1. Mishkat al-Masabih, I/453.

2. al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, V/321.

(see Halil GÜNENÇ, Günümüz Meselelerine Fetvalar)

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