Advertising Hajj or ʿUmrah Campaigns and Distributing Flyers Outside the Mosque

˹That light shines˺ through houses ˹of worship˺ which Allah has ordered to be raised, and where His Name is mentioned. He is glorified there morning and evening

And the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah

Meaning: Mosques are designated for the remembrance of Allah, honoring His rituals, prayer, and beneficial knowledge not for worldly display or promotion.

“If you see someone buying or selling in the mosque, say: ‘May Allah not make your trade profitable.’ And if you see someone announcing something lost, say: ‘May Allah not return it to you.’”

The hadith forbids using the mosque as a place for trade or worldly announcements. This includes commercial advertisements or indirect profit seeking promotions. Third: The Ruling on Announcements Inside the Mosque Scholars agree that worldly announcements inside the mosque are not permissible, as they contradict the mosque’s intended purpose.

Imām al-Nawawī (رحمه الله) said: “This hadith indicates the dislike of selling and buying in the mosque, the dislike of announcing something lost, and anything similar from worldly matters.”

Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله) said: “It is not permissible to make announcements in the mosque about worldly or commercial matters, such as sales or campaigns, because mosques were not built for that.”

Fourth: Announcements Outside the Mosque This is the key part of the question 1: Advertising completely outside the mosque (e.g., in an open area, or by the mosque door after prayer when people have left) It is permissible under two conditions: It does not disturb worshippers or obstruct their exit. It is not a purely commercial promotion done inside the mosque; distribution should happen after prayer, outside the doors. This is because areas outside the mosque do not share the same rulings as the mosque itself. Many contemporary scholars have stated this.

Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn (رحمه الله) said: “If the distribution is inside the mosque, it is not allowed; but if it is in the external courtyards after prayer, there is no harm as long as it does not disturb anyone or cause noise.” Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān (حفظه الله) said: “Mosques are houses of Allah and must not be used for advertising or promotion. But if it is outside the mosque and does not disturb worshippers, then there is no objection provided the activity itself is lawful.”

2: Advertising inside the mosque or at the doors while worshippers are exiting This is disliked or prohibited, because it involves: Disturbing those leaving the prayer. Exploiting the sanctity of the mosque for advertising. Creating the false impression that the mosque administration approved the campaign. Fifth: The Nature of the Hajj or ʿUmrah Campaign Itself If the campaign is legitimate, well-organized, and free of any religious violations, there is no harm in advertising it in permissible locations. However, if the purpose is purely commercial gain, then advertising in mosques is strictly forbidden as it falls under the general prohibition of trade within mosques.