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Halaal [Permissible]!
The third view is that it is permissible to enter churches in general. This is the view of the Hanbalis, as it says in al-Mughni (8/113) and al-lnsaaf(I/496). It is also the view of Ibn Hazm al-Zaahiri as it says in al-Muhalla (1/400). They quoted the following as evidence:
(i) What was narrated about the conditions stipulated by 'Umar to the People of the Book to expand their churches and monasteries so thatthe Muslims could enter them to spend the night or pass through them. [Al-Mughni(8/11 3)].
(ii) Ibn J\a'idh narrated in Futooh al-Shaam that when 'Umar came to Syria, the Christians made food for him and called him, and he said: Where is it?' They said: 'In the church', and he refused to go. He said to Ali: 'Take the people to eat lunch.' So Ali took the people and entered the church, and he and the people ate lunch, and Ali looked at the images and said: What would be wrong if the Ameer al-Mu'mineen entered this place?'[A1-Mughni (8/113)].
By studying the evidence quoted above, it does not seem that there is any clear evidence that it is haraam to enter churches. The fact that there are images and statues in them or any other place does not mean that it is haraam to enter it. The sin is on the makers of the images and those who make the statues; the one who enters a place where those statues are should advise and explain, but he does not have to leave that place.
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