Leaving a Will: Changing a Bequest for Building a Masjid to a School Instead

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Leaving a Will: Changing a Bequest for Building a Masjid to a School Instead

English:

Question #1824:

My father has directed in his will that a masjid should be built on one third of his land. Since there are already two masjids adjacent to that land and because of the pressing need for school buildings, is it permissible to build a school on the land instead of a masjid?

Answer #1824:

It is not permissible to act contrary to the will by building a school instead of a masjid. However, if it is known that the deceased’s intention was not building a masjid on that particular land, there is no objection to selling it and spending the proceeds in building a masjid somewhere else where it is needed.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Leaving a Will