Tasweer (CCTV) in the Masjid (3)

Sheikh Yahya Al-Hajuri ḥafidhahullāh was asked about the ruling on entering certain Masjids for the purpose of Da'wah, knowing that they have surveillance cameras. The Sheikh responded: "Our Masjids, praise be to Allah, do not have cameras or Tasweer. Enter the Masjids of Ahlus Sunnah in safety; there are no cameras or Tasweer. Give Da'wah to Allah therein. As for those other Masjids, do not concern yourselves with them. If a person passes by a Masjid and wishes to pray, they should pray there regardless of whether there is a camera or not, because the sin is on those who installed it. Do not abandon congregational prayers; the sin is on those who installed the cameras. He is not considered accountable. Fear Allah according to your capability. If he prays therein and gives a reminder for some people before departing, then the Prophet ﷺ used to preach to the polytheists in their markets, let alone to groups of Muslims." __ Sheikh Muḥammad Aṣ-Ṣilwi ḥafidhahullāh: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته May Allāh grant you life, dear brother. Regarding the act of i'tikaf, it's ruling in the Sharī’ah is that it is recommended and considered a Sunnah. However, if there is something more important, that should take precedence. Thus, refraining from sinful actions and violations of the Sharī‘ah takes priority over i'tikaf. If a person avoids performing i'tikaf in a masjid that contains a camera, they will be rewarded by the will of Allāh, and Allāh will record the reward for their intention. Especially if the individual is righteous and upright, their i'tikaf in a masjid with a camera could be seen as an implicit approval by the lay people, whether they realise it or not. They should seek out a masjid without a camera for their i'tikaf, if such a place exists. If not, they are still rewarded. Some of the Companions even refrained from attending certain obligations, like wedding invitations, due to the presence of prohibited activities. For instance, one of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, ’Abdullāh ibn Mas'ud, was invited to a wedding, but when he saw something impermissible; the walls were covered in curtains(1), he left without responding to the invitation. ____ (1) The Prophet ﷺ said: ((إِنَّ اللهَ لَمْ يَأْمُرْنَا أَنْ نَكْسُوَ الْحِجَارَةَ وَالطِّينَ)) "Allāh has not commanded us to clothe stones and clay." [Reported by Muslim (2106) on the authority of ’Ā'ishah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhā] Source: https://t.me/MarkazUthman/2746 @almanhajussalafi