Erecting the Mimbar in the Mehraab
Question:-
A Masjid in a community will soon undergo extension work, Insha’Allah.
The issue is about the Mimbar:
- Can the Mimbar be placed inside the Mehraab?
- The reason is because the space is limited. If the Mimbar is put out of the Mehraab, it will cover and cut about half the Saff – such that no Musalli can read Salaah there.
- The Masjid wants to maintain the entire space of the first Saff.
Can the Mimbar be put inside the Mehraab though it was always the practice of the Masaajid to keep the Mimbar out of the Mehraab.
Answer:-
1. To place the Mimbar in the Mehraab is against the Sunnah. The Mimbar should be erected on the right-hand side of the Mehrab (when facing in the direction of the Qiblah).
2. Generally, the first Saff in which the Mimbar is located is not used for the five daily Salaah. Yes, on certain occasions such as Jumuah, or during the month of Ramadaan etc. the first Saff is used. Hence, the Mimbar occupying part of the first Saff wouldn’t affect the day-to-day congregational Salaah.
3. In conclusion, the Mimbar should be erected on the right hand-side of the Mehraab as explained above, which is in accordance to the Sunnah. Afterall, the Mimbar will only occupy the space of just two to three Musallis at the maximum, which is minimal, but the Sunnah will be upheld.
Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.451 -453 Vol.16 Farooqiyyah print
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ebrahim Ahmed
Date: 18 Ramadaan 1444 / 10 April 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai