Opening Of A New Masjid?

Question: Our new Masjid is going to have an official opening on 25 March. Many dignitaries, alims and muftis will be attending. How is a Masjid opened in terms of the Shariah?

Answer: There is no such thing as an ‘official opening’ for a Masjid. This is a practice alien to Islaam. The opening of a Masjid is the delivery of the Athaan and the performance of Salaat. That is the all of a Masjid’s ‘opening’.

Nowadays every and any opportunity is seized for merrymaking, ostentation (Riya) and self-aggrandizement.

What was the official opening ceremony for the Masjid of our Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in Madinah Munawwarah? Never was there any ‘official’ openings for any of the great Masaajid of Islam. 

Hence, such ‘openings’, in which even modern Ulama and Muftis make their presence and give speeches, are not permissible.