Assalamualaikum, I am an new overseas student at an american university. I was looking for a place to live in the vicinity of the campus and mosque. Me and my friends found a place near to both, but it is owned jointly by the local church and a contractor. The advantage of this apartment over others is that it has a short lease period (I may want to leave for another university in the next 3 months). Is it permissible for me to live in such an apartment when I know that the funds received by the church can go for their activities like preaching (perhaps even to my fellow muslims and/or non-muslims) and worship activities inside the church. I am intending on moving if I get a better accomodation, but the lease is valid for 3 months before which I have to pay a fine for leaving the apartment. I can still however afford to move if it is Haram to live there JazaKAllah!
Answer:
(Fatwa: 1785/1681=D/1429)
It is allowable for you to live in the mentioned place while taking it on rent. The rent money given to the church will be possessed by it and it can spend it anywhere it likes, you are not responsible for it. However, you should have the intention to move into another place if found better than this. As per the Shariah, it is not necessary for you to leave it before the period of lease (three month) is over, you can live there until the time comes to an end.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband