Question:
Is it permissible to use the electricity in mosques to charge our personal gadgets?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Originally, anything that belongs to a mosque is a wakaf from the donation made by the public. Thus, the usage of the mosque’s assets which also includes electricity depends on the intention of the donators.
An Islamic legal maxim states:
كل متصرف عن الغير فعليه أن يتصرف بالمصلحة
“Anyone who is involved in dealings on behalf of others, then his actions must be in accordance with the maslahah (the greater good)” (1/310)
In this issue, former Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr Ali Jum’ah emphasized, according to fiqh, everything that is donated as wakaf to a mosque, such as the carpets, light, broom, water and others, it is impermissible to be used except for the use of the mosque. This is in accordance with the actions of the Prophet PBUH who are cautious in everything that is specified for the mosque. The Prophet PBUH said:
إِنَّ الْحَصَاةَ لَتُنَاشِدُ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُهَا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ
“The gravels adjure the person when removes them from the mosque.”
Sunan Abu Daud (460) (http://www.dar-alifta.org/ar/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=11124&LangID=1&MuftiType=0)
In the issue of charging our personal gadget or laptop, the original ruling is, it is permissible if it is used for beneficial and good deeds such as reciting the Quran, learning, and desperate situations such as to contact one’s family members and others. However, if it is used for transgressions and purposeless matters, then it is impermissible, for it contradicts the main purpose of the mosque’s assets which is to be of benefit. Furthermore, it is sunnah for those who benefit from mosque’s assets to donate to the mosque’s fund to help the mosque’s management to pay the costs incurred for the maintenance of the mosque to benefit us all. Wallahua’lam.