QUESTION:
We have a pulpit in our Masjid and I noticed that at times the Jumu’ah Bayaan is been given from behind it, as opposed to the Imaam standing in front of the congregation or on the Mimbar, and conducting the Bayaan. Is it permissible from a Shari’ point of view, and Is it recommended to use them in the Masjid?
ANSWER:
From the outset it should be borne in mind that Islam is a complete and perfect religion. Allah Ta’ala states in the Quraan Majeed:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
“Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My blessings upon you and I am pleased with Islam as your religion”.
Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu used to say:
إنا كنا أذل قوم فأعزنا الله بالإسلام، فمهما ابتغينا العزة بغير ما أعزنا الله به أذلنا الله (المستدرک للحاكم #207)
“We were a humiliated nation then Allah honoured us through Islam. If we seek honour in other than what Allah honoured us, then Allah will humiliate us”.
Teachings of Deen and Sunnah are imparted from the Masajid, hence the furniture used in the Masjid should be closest to Sunnah. The Mimbar was always used to deliver the Khutbah from the time of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. The Kitaabs of Fiqh even discuss the number of stairs the Mimbar of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam consisted of. Yes, if one wishes to sit on a chair or stand and address the congregation, then this too will be permissible.
Now coming to the queried scenario, a lectern, also known as an ambo, is generally used in the church when the pastor delivers a sermon/lecture standing behind it. We are commanded to contradict the ways of the Jews and the Christians, hence it is totally unacceptable to use such items in the Masjid. The Quraan Sharif states,
وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ (هود آ: 113)
“And do not incline toward those who do wrong, for then the fire shall reach you, and you will not have any helpers against Allah and you will not be assisted (by anyone.)
عن ابنِ عُمَرَ، قال: قال رسولُ الله – صلَّى الله عليه وسلم -: مَن تَشَبَّه بقومٍ فهو منهم (سنن ابي داود #4031)
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
In conclusion, the lectern should not be utilized in the Masjid.
ALLAH TA’ALA IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 06 Dhul Hijjah 1445 / 13 June 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
