Q 1: We have a great Masjid (mosque) where we offer most of the Fara’id (obligatory prayers) and it is the closest Masjid to us. After a while, I discovered that there was a grave prepared for the owner of this Masjid in the ground floor in order to bury him in, after his death. Could you kindly advise us about the ruling on offering Salah (Prayer) in this Masjid? Please, substantiate your answer with proofs from the Qur’an and the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). Moreover, what is the ruling on those who deliver Khutbah (sermon) there? A: It is not permissible to bury the dead in the Masjid. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited this and informed his Ummah (Muslim nation) that this was the deed of the Jews and the Christians and the reason behind cursing them, as a warning against doing what they did. Consequently, it is not permissible to offer Salah in the Masjids established on graves. Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade taking graves as Masjids; because this is a means leading to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). As for the Masjid you ask about, Salah is valid before anyone is buried there. It is obligatory not to bury anyone there or in any other Masjid. However, once somebody is buried in the Masjid, it becomes prohibited to offer Salah therein because of the proofs we have mentioned (Part No. 5; Page No. 251

A: It is not permissible to bury the dead in the Masjid. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited this and informed his Ummah (Muslim nation) that this was the deed of the Jews and the Christians and the reason behind cursing them, as a warning against doing what they did. Consequently, it is not permissible to offer Salah in the Masjids established on graves. Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade taking graves as Masjids; because this is a means leading to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). As for the Masjid you ask about, Salah is valid before anyone is buried there. It is obligatory not to bury anyone there or in any other Masjid. However, once somebody is buried in the Masjid, it becomes prohibited to offer Salah therein because of the proofs we have mentioned (Part No. 5; Page No. 251) until the dead body is exhumed and moved from the Masjid.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.