Paving the Yard of a Masjid Using Interest Money

The use of ribā for paving the yard of a masjid is not permissible. The entire premises upon which the masjid stands is waqf, and as such ownership of it is vested in none besides Allah. If donations towards charitable causes must as a rule originate from unquestionably pure sources, this rule applies with greater emphasis and clarity in the case of a waqf devoted solely to Allah.

There does exist a theoretically sound view in terms of which ribā funds may be used towards a cause which is of general benefit to the public at large. However, that view is not applicable in this case, for two reasons:

• the nature of the cause, i.e. the above mentioned fact that it is a waqf,
• the fact that the masjid is of benefit not to society at large, but to the Muslim community exclusively.

And Allah taʿālā knows best.