Understanding Islam

Explaining Islam in Light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ‎)

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Who is Allowed to Clean a Mosque?

April 20, 2005

Question

Is non Muslim janitorial staff allowed to clean the mosque and do repair work or only Muslims can do this job.

Answer

Verse Al Tawbah 9:17 of the Qur’an has only prohibited maintenance/repairing of mosques by Mushrikeen.Mushrikeen are those who clearly ascribe partners to God. Therefore there is no reason to believe that those who do not clearly ascribe partners to God cannot be among the janitorial staff of a mosque. Of course any janitorial staff needs to respect the mosque and keep it tidy according to the Muslims’ standards. Please note that “clearly ascribing partners to God” means that the person acknowledges that he/she is polytheist, so for example Christians or Jews are not Mushrik.

For details please see the following answer:

Who Can and Cannot Enter and Pray in a Mosque?

Abdullah Rahim
May 2, 2005

Filed Under: Islamic Beliefs, Other Religions, Q & A

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