He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“A mosque stands beside a closed, dilapidated church. Some of its walls have fallen onto the mosque’s entrance and the open areas through which it is approached. Part of the wall that collapsed and fell against the mosque’s wall has shifted, and there is fear that its collapse may harm Muslims and those praying in the mosque. If the entire church falls into ruin, may it be demolished?”

He replied:

“Yes. If there is fear of damage to the mosque and harm to those praying in it, whatever threatens the mosque and its worshippers must be removed. If the danger can only be removed by demolition, the church is to be demolished. Indeed, it is established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

‘Two qiblahs must not coexist in one land, nor may jizyah be imposed on a Muslim.’

“If this church stands in land conquered by force, it must be removed and not left standing beside the mosque. Allah knows best.”

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“A mosque has no endowment, and beside it is an open space. May accommodation for the imam be built there? Please give us a ruling.”

He replied:

“That is permissible in these circumstances, since the open space is not part of the mosque, as stated in the question. Allah knows best.”