In Which Mosques is it Forbidden to Stand for Prayer?
107. And as for those who put up a mosque by way of harming and disbelief, and to disunite the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger aforetime, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars.
108. Do not stand in it ever! A mosque founded on Godwariness from the [very] first day is worthier that you stand in it [for prayer]. Therein are men who love to keep pure, and Allah loves those who keep pure.
109. Is he who founds his building on Godwariness and [the pursuit of Allah’s] pleasure better-off or he who founds his building on the brink of a collapsing bank which collapses with him into the fire of hell? Allah does not guide the wrongdoing lot.
In the verses above, Allah Almighty commands the Prophet Muhammad not to pray in this mosque, which He describes as the Mosque of Harm(Dirar), and informs him that the mosque built from the beginning on the basis of piety is far more suitable for prayer.
For a mosque to be called a "harmful mosque," it is not necessary for it to have been built with the intention of causing harm from the outset. The verse does not use a word meaning "to build" or "to establish," but rather "to acquire." This means that for a mosque to be considered harmful, it is not a requirement that it be built with that intention from the start. Even if it has provided good service for centuries, it may one day transform into a "harmful mosque" due to political reasons or the attitudes of its congregation.
There are mosques built for show, ostentation, self-interest, and politics. Mosques that serve any purpose or expectation other than sincere worship of Allah are harmful mosques.
Religion cannot be used as a tool to harm people. The starting point for this is to prevent the place of worship from becoming a tool of harm. Therefore, worship of Allah cannot be used as a tool for harassing people and violating human rights. No one can perform their worship, which is a means of raising their personal status and gaining Allah's favor, at the expense of disturbing society and violating public rights. Because the Quran does not permit piety (taqwa-religiosity) to be used as a measure of superiority in interpersonal relationships. Piety(taqwa) is a measure of superiority that operates between a person and Allah.
O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes that you may identify yourselves with one another. Indeed the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most Godwary(taqwa) among you. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.
The Ansar had found a plot of land for the construction of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. Upon examining the land, the Prophet learned that some orphans had shares in it. He declared, "A mosque cannot be built on such land," and halted construction. Thereupon, Abu Bakr, a wealthy companion, resolved the issue by paying the orphans their due shares in cash, and construction resumed. The crucial principle for us in this practice is this: Human rights cannot be violated for the sake of building a mosque.
A mosque is also known for the congregation that worships within it. In this regard, if any mosque is used for acts or worship that involve polytheism and hypocrisy, then that mosque becomes a harmful one. Examples include the use of objects claimed to belong to the Prophet, such as his beard and cloak, as symbols of polytheism; the offering of polytheistic prayers to leaders of religious orders and communities; the excessive decoration of mosques; and the luxury, extravagance, and wastefulness in the construction of mosques, especially while many people are struggling with hunger.
And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah.
The second reason mentioned in verse 107 of Surah At-Tawbah is expressed by the word "kufran," which reveals the "denial and ingratitude" of those involved. The word "kufran" has both the meaning of denial and ingratitude. It is clear that mosques are not built for the purpose of denial. Here, those who are ungrateful in their belief in Allah, that is, those who practice polytheism, are being referred to.
The third reason for building a mosque is stated as "to create division among believers, to plunge social life into discord, and to fragment Muslims," using the word "division" (fikriqa). People should remember that if they build another mosque next to or near an existing one, unless there is a serious, legitimate, and absolutely necessary need, this will cause division, and they should absolutely avoid such an action.
Furthermore, in Türkiye, almost every divisive group, or sect and community, now has its own mosque, and those who gather in these mosques, even though they call themselves Sunni Muslims, gossip about each other. Moreover, each claims that what they are doing is jihad, that the only path to God is the path of their own group and sheikh, and that they are the only path to salvation. Indeed, the use of the place of worship to divide society into factions and exploit religion in that way is not unique to Türkiye; it is as old as the history of religions themselves.
Furthermore, the following verses in the Quran also address the issue of polytheists(mushrikh) building mosques. Since it is stated that all their actions, including building mosques, are in vain, Allah does not accept the mosques they built. Indeed, in the next verse, when mentioning who can build Allah's mosques, it is emphasized that those who fear no one but Allah will be accepted as monotheists.
The polytheists(mushrikh) may not maintain Allah’s mosques while they are witness to their own unfaith. Their works have failed, and they shall remain in the Fire [forever].
Only those shall maintain Allah’s mosques who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and maintain the prayer, and give the zakat, and fear no one except Allah. They, hopefully, will be among the guided.
The following verse also refers to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim places of worship as places where Allah is frequently mentioned.
those who were expelled from their homes unjustly, only because they said, ‘Allah is our Lord.’ Had not Allah repulsed the people from one another, ruin would have befallen the monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques in which Allah’s Name is much invoked. Allah will surely help those who help Him. Indeed Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.
Although the vast majority have fallen into polytheism or disbelief, it would be incorrect to say that all those who go to the places of worship mentioned in the verse are like that. Based on this, those who attack God's mosques and strive to destroy them are also shown among the 'most unjust people' in the following verse.
Who is a greater wrongdoer than those who deny access to the mosques of Allah lest His Name be celebrated therein, and try to ruin them? Such ones may not enter them, except in fear. There is disgrace for them in this world and a great punishment in the Hereafter.