Question
What do you say about construction of Hindu and Sikh temples? A Hindu friend has asked me why in Arab countries especially in Saudi Arabia Hindus are not allowed to construct their temples?
Answer
Since we know that the Prophet (sws) and the Rightly Guided caliphs allowed the non-Muslim citizens in the state to keep and maintain their temples and worship there, this also implies that they can build new temples for the same purpose. There is no prohibition in the Qur’an in this regard. We cannot comment on what a particular Muslim state implements its understanding of the divine laws. One thing is clear. The divine law and the human interpretation of the laws are different things. Similarly what Islam teaches and what the believers practice are also distinct things.
Answered by: Tariq Mahmood Hashmi
Date: 2015-03-01
