Q: I am a Saudi studying in America and we are in the process of building an Islamic center, in sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills) in Miami. The University has donated (Part No. 16; Page No. 178) the land on which the center will be built. Yet some Muslim brothers disapproved of it, saying that the land can be accepted from neither Christians nor Jews. As you know, most of the people here in America are Christians and there are some Jews. Attached to my letter is a copy of the donated land's contract along with some related questions.

A: After the Committee has reviewed and studied the attached copy of the contract, it gave the following answer: If the matter is as you have mentioned, it is not permissible to accept this gift, due to the consequential evils of applying the conditions stipulated in the contract. The contract stipulates that the center's administration is to follow the laws and regulations of the University, which are unknown to those accepting the gift. Some of which may contradict the Islamic teachings. There is also the condition about the center submitting to the laws of the state of Florida, some of which contradict the Islamic teachings for sure. Furthermore, the contract stipulates that the center will be for Muslims and non-Muslims such as Jews. This only means that Muslims will build an Islamic center where Christian and Jewish rituals will be performed, something that will cause many problems. Finally, the contract stipulates that the donor has the right to revoke the gift and regain the land to the University's property at any time. There are many other conditions in the contract that contradict the Shari`ah (Islamic law). (Part No. 16; Page No. 179) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.