Assalamu alaikum,
My friend wants visit the church with her mum. I told her when she is a Muslim, then what’s the point in visiting the Christians’ place of worship, but she kept insisting that there’s nothing wrong with it and she just wants to make a tour there. I strongly doubt it’s haram to go to the church just for the sake of enjoyment and for ones own interest to see how it looks. Please guide us, as to whether what she and her mum going to do is right or wrong?
Jazakallahu khairan.
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
It is Makruh Tahrimi (highly detestable and constitutes sin) for a Muslim to enter a church. Thus, you should try to encourage her not to go. There are many other places of interest to visit.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)
References
وفي التتارخانية يكره للمسلم الدخول في البيعة والكنيسة، وإنما يكره من حيث إنه مجمع الشياطين لا من حيث إنه ليس له حق الدخول اهـ قال في البحر: والظاهر أنها تحريمية؛ لأنها المرادة عند إطلاقهم، وقد أفتيت بتعزير مسلم لازم الكنيسة مع اليهود اه (حاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (1/ 380)