Q: What is the ruling on offering Salah (Prayer) on rugs with drawings in the form of Islamic architecture, such as those found in Masjids (mosques) nowadays? What is the ruling on offering Salah on them if they have crosses drawn on them? Is anything with a long lower part and a short upper part, or any crossed lines, considered a crucifix? Please advise us, as many face this issue. May Allah preserve and support you.

A: First, Masjids are the houses of Allah built to offer Salah and glorify Allah morning and evening, while devoting the heart to the acts 'Ibadah (worship) and fearing Allah. Drawings on the rugs in the Masjid distract one from Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) and detracts from Khushu' (the heart being attuned to the act of worship). Thus, many of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) disapproved of it. (Part No. 6; Page No. 182) Muslims should not do so in their Masjids, in order to perfect their 'Ibadah by avoiding any forms of distraction from places where they worship Allah, and seek His reward. However, if a person offers Salah on such rugs, it is valid. Second, the crucifix is the logo of the Christians. They display it in their churches, honor it, and consider it a symbol for a false incident and a false doctrine, which is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). Allah declared that the Jews and the Christians are liars: ...but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them [the resemblance of ‘Isâ (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)] (Surah Al-Nisa', 4: 157). Thus, it is impermissible for Muslims to display it (i.e. the crucifix) on the rugs of the Masjids or elsewhere. They must get rid of it, either by earasing it or deforming it, in order to avoid Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and avoid imitating the Christians, especially in their religious symbols. It makes no difference whether the vertical line of the crosses is longer than the horizontal one or equal to it, or whether the upper part is shorter than the lower part, or equal to it.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.