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As for visiting “the places of worship of the disbelievers,” such as the place called “al-Qumāma,” “Bethlehem,” “Zion,” or other places such as “Christian churches,” this is forbidden. Whoever visits any of these places believing that visiting it is recommended and that worshipping there is better than worshipping in his own home is misguided and has departed from the law of Islam. He must be called upon to repent; if he does not repent, he is to be put to death.

If, however, someone enters such a place for a need and the time for prayer comes while he is there, scholars have held three views on praying there, both within Ahmad’s school and elsewhere. One view is that prayer there is disliked in all cases. Ibn ʿAqīl favoured this view, which is also reported from Mālik. Another view is that it is permissible in all cases. A third holds that if there are images inside, prayer there is prohibited; otherwise, it is not. This is explicitly stated by Ahmad and others, and is reported from ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, and others. For the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Angels do not enter a house in which there is an image.”

When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, conquered Mecca, there were images in the Kaaba, and he did not enter it until those images had been effaced. Allah knows best.

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There is no place in Jerusalem designated a “sanctuary,” nor at the burial place of Abraham, nor