With the growing number of tourists visiting Egypt ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening, questions have emerged regarding the permissibility of non-Muslims entering historical mosques, such as Al-Rifai, Sultan Hassan, Ibn Tulun, Al-Ghouri, and Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah.
Sheikh Atiya Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar’s Fatwa Committee, explained that the Qur’an provides clear guidance on this issue. In Surah At-Tawbah, Allah says: “O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are impure, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their final year.” The verse, he said, restricts the prohibition to polytheists and specifically to the Sacred Mosque in Makkah.
According to Imam Malik and Imam Al-Shafi’i, polytheists are forbidden from entering the Sacred Mosque, while Jews and Christians may enter, as the ruling does not extend beyond polytheists. Imam Abu Hanifa, however, held that their impurity is spiritual rather than physical, and therefore allowed entry under necessity, provided respect for the sanctity of the mosque is maintained.
Some scholars from Madinah prohibited non-Muslims and those in a state of impurity from entering mosques, citing the verse: “O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated... nor while in a state of janabah except passing through.” This underscores that purity is essential for anyone entering a mosque.
Sheikh Saqr also referenced the Prophet’s saying: “I do not permit the mosque to those who are menstruating or in a state of impurity.” He noted that while Ali ibn Abi Talib once removed a Magian from a mosque, the Prophet ﷺ allowed delegations of Najran’s Christians to visit the mosque and even pray according to their customs, demonstrating the flexibility of Islamic guidance when balanced with respect and purpose.
He concluded that non-Muslims may enter mosques—especially historical ones—for cultural, educational, or diplomatic reasons, provided it is done with permission and proper decorum. He also recalled the incident of Father Sergius, who entered Al-Azhar Mosque during the 1919 Revolution to deliver a national unity speech, symbolizing Egypt’s spirit of interfaith harmony.
