Question:

While we were on a trip to Madinah Munawwarah, we slept in Masjid An-Nabavi. Some of my freinds told me that sleeping in Masjid Al-Haraam is haraam (not allowed in Islam) or it’s a big sin. Can you please elaborate?

Answer:

In general sleeping in a masjid, unless out of necessity, is Makrooh (better to avoid it) specially in Masjidul-Haram and Masjidu-Nabi. There is a Hadith however from Imam Baqir (a.s) that sounds as if it is Haraam to sleep in those two Masjids, but after considerating all other narrations on this topic, our jurists have interpreted the Hadith to mean ‘very Makrooh’. We should also bear in mind that if sleeping in a masjid prevents others to worship God, then it becomes Haraam, for masjid is the place of worshipping. For example, a group of people sleep in a masjid so much so that there is no more room for those who want to pray.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei