Can
Non-Muslims Enter the Ka`bah (Al-Taubah 9: 28)?
I
had heard Alamma Javed Sahib[1]
once comment that the prohibition of non-Muslims from the Kabba was not
forbidden according to the Shari`ah. Could you comment with reference to the
Qur’anic ayah saying that idolators are unclean.
salam,
Adnan
Reply
The
particular verse of the Qur’an that relates to the subject under consideration
is Al-Taubah 9: 28. The verse reads as:
O
you who believe, the Mushrikoon – i.e. the polytheists – are indeed
unclean. Therefore, they should not even come near the Sacred Mosque after
this year.
While
reading this verse and interpreting the directive that it entails, it should
remain clear that the word ‘Mushrik’ has been used in the Qur’an as
an attributive noun for the polytheists of Arabia. In its implication in the
Qur’an, the word does not include the people of the book – the Jews and the
Christians – even though these groups also ascribed to such beliefs, which
according to the Qur’an were polytheistic in nature. Thus, the stated
directive of the Qur’an prohibits the Mushrikeen (those who ascribe to
polytheism) from entering the sacred mosque. The directive does not apply to the
Jews and the Christians or any other non-polytheist group of non-Muslims.
I
hope this helps. In case any aspect of your question remains unanswered, please
feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience.
May
the Almighty guide us all to the path of His liking.
My
fondest regards to you and those around you.
The
Learner
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