Law of Enter Church for Moslem – Brief Explanation

Our country is one of the most populous countries in the world. By the majority of population is Moslem. It makes Indonesia as the largest Muslim country in the world. Of course, tolerance always becomes a warm issue to be talked.

Nevertheless, we are known as the highest tolerance level countries in the world. It becomes one of  reasons the founding of NKRI where the difference is a thing that actually unites us.

Of course, the relation with this topic, we cannot limit the association because besides this country is lived by Moslem, our country also recognizes the existence of other religions such as Christianity, Catholic, Hindu, Buddha and Confucius. Christianity is the second biggest of religions in Indonesia. Which means that we will also interact with them. Islam is a religion that teaches the meaning of tolerance. You may also read moderation in Islam.

But, Islam also teaches about the limits of tolerance as the law of come to the wedding party in the church. As the word of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’la which reads :

Say, “O, disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor I will be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” (Q.S. Al-Kafirun : 1-6)

The Law of Enter Church in Islam

Islam is one of religions and the source of theory that arrange exactly how to interact with Ummah of other religions. In the view of Islam, tolerance is the basic to reach the harmony between religions.

Nevertheless, in the basic law of Islam, we are forbidden to follow their habits. But many people consider it trivial, so the Messenger of Allah SAW stated it firmly in the following hadith :

“Whoever resembles a people (in their characteristic, pen.) then he belongs to the part of that people.” (Narrated by Abu Daud 4031 and it is validated by Shaykh Al-Albani).

There are three laws of a Moslem to enter a church in Islam. They are haram, makruh and allowed. It depends on the situations and conditions. Here will be explored four law of enter church for Moslem in Islam. Check the details.

1. Al-Qur’an : Haram

The reason prohibition of it is clear, we are forbidden to follow the worship of other religions. And Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has confirmed about this in Al-Quran Al-Karim.

Say, “O, disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor I will be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” (Q.S. Al-Kafirun : 1-6)

By following to enter the church especially they are praying, it is implying that we have belief to that religion. In this case, as the words of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said firmly that “For you is your religion and for me is my religion.”

It means that in the case of Aqidah, no one can get in it. In other words that by following that activity, we have tried to deny our Aqidah. Naudzubillah min dzalik, hopefully we are far away from such things.

See also : Ethical values of Islam

2. Tha Fatwa of Umar : Haram

This prohibition comes from the word of the companion Umar bon Al-Khattab radhiyallahuanhu.

“Do not you enter the worship place of disbelievers when they are celebrating their religious days, because the anger of Allah will down to them.” [AdSense-B]

As it has been explained in the first point that the law of enter church for Moslem in Islam is haram. Even Umar Bin Al-Khattab stated that the anger of Allah SWT will come, if there is a Moslem who come to the worship place of other people when they are celebrating their religious days or the ceremony of their religion.

3. Jumhur Ulama : Allow

According to Jumhur Ulama, there are some conditions that allow us to enter that place. Especially when there is no worship activities. As in Fatwa of Al Lajnah Ad Daimah (2 : 115), it is mentioned that

“If go to the church to show tolerance, then it is not allowed. But if it is a first step to preach, invite non-Muslims to Islam, but without following into their worship, no worry to influence with the worship, habits and taqlid to them, it is allowed.”

Between Ulama of Malikiyah, Hanabilah and a half Ulama of Syafi’iyah stated that they allowed Moslem to enter church. As an evidence that Islam is a peace religion, but some of them required that they must get a permission from them to use that place. We can read the information like this in the book of Kasyful Qana’ volume 1 page 294 and the book of Hasyiyatul Jamal volume 3 page 572.

“Because of that, the law of enter church is similar thing to attend the marriage or do special work, it is not a haram thing. So long as that Moslem do not do things contrary with the law of religion. Nevertheless, he should not do it (enter to the church) except it is needed and urgent.”

4. Makruh : Mazhab Al-Hanafiyah

It is difference with the partial view of Ulama Hanafiyah who viewed that the law of enter church for Moslem is makruh. Makruh means that the act is forbidden, but there is no consequence if we do it. As Ibn ‘Aidz narrated in Futuhusy Syam, that Christian have made a dish for Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhu when he arrived in Syam.

See also : Law of rejecting Gifts in Islam

“At that time, he was invited to eat, then he asked, “Where is that meal invitation?” “In the church”, there was answering. Umar did not want to come to that invitation. Umar said to Ali, “Go with others, then eat there. “ Ali went with others. Ali entered the church, then he and other Moslems eat there. At that time, Ali saw statues in the church, then he said, “What Ali-amirul mukminin do when he entered?”

[AdSense-C]

Ibn Qudamah rahimahullah has explained about the law of enter a place that there are statues in it. He explained,

“Such it is not haram. He may to be not meet the invitation of people who display statues (pictures) in their home is a form of punishment for people who invite upon their apostasy. Actually not mandatory for those who see like that to get out of the house. This is looked from the word of Imam Ahmad.” (Al Mughni, 8 : 113)

Those are the three law of enter church for Moslem. Of course, it is an additional knowledge for us, so we always improve our devotion and faith to Allah SWT. It is also a way to connect the silaturahmi (see also dua to make friends). Hopefully we are far away from the temptation of Satan that mislead and break our akhlaq. Amen.

See also :

• The rights of neighbours in Islam
• Ways to visit neighbour in Islam