Revoking a Waqf

Q 4: A Muslim has turned the ground floor of his building into a Masjid (mosque) for offering Salah but not the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer. If this Muslim wants to regain the ground floor and turn it into a shop or anything else other than the Masjid, is it permissible for him to do so?

(Part No. 16; Page No. 89) A: If a Muslim dedicates his ground floor to be a Masjid where Salah is offered and leaves it for people to pray in, it becomes impermissible for him to take back the floor, neither to turn it into a place of residence nor a shop. Similarly, it is not permissible to sell this floor, rent it, or dispose of it in any way, even if Jumu`ah prayer is not offered in it. The reason is that dedicating it to be a Masjid and leaving it for people to pray in makes it a Waqf (endowment) that is no longer in this man's possession. It is not to be sold, granted or bequeathed. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.