Ahmad, according to the school’s well-known position. The followers of Abū Hanīfa likewise stated this. But does it require the ruler’s permission? Two positions are reported from Ahmad. Some scholars of Ahmad’s school mention no disagreement over the permissibility of this type of construction, while others mention a third report prohibiting it outright.

This question is discussed in the earlier and later works of Ahmad’s school, from the time of his disciples and their disciples down to later authors such as Abū al-Barakāt, Ibn Tamīm, Ibn Hamdān, and others. Ahmad’s statements are recorded in Jāmi‘ al-Khallāl, al-Shāfī by Abū Bakr ‘Abd al-‘Azīz, Zād al-Musāfir, al-Mutarjim by Abū Ishāq al-Jūzajānī, and other works.

Ismā‘īl ibn Sa‘īd al-Shālanjī said:

“I asked Ahmad about a wide road that the Muslims could dispense with, whereas they needed a mosque there: ‘Is it permissible to build a mosque there?’

“He replied: ‘There is no harm in it, provided it does not impair the road.’”

This Questions of Ismā‘īl ibn Sa‘īd is among the most distinguished collections of questions answered by Ahmad. Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm ibn Ya‘qūb al-Jūzajānī explained it in his book al-Mutarjim. He served as a preacher here at the congregational mosque of Damascus. He also transmitted answers from Ahmad to legal questions, and would read aloud Ahmad’s letters addressed to him from the pulpit of the congregational mosque of Damascus.

Thus, Ahmad permitted construction here without qualification and did not stipulate the ruler’s permission. Muhammad ibn al-Hakam asked him: “Do you disapprove of praying in a mosque