Utilizing a Musalla no longer used for Salah for other purposes

Fatwa no. 17609 Praise be to Allah Alone and peace and blessings be upon the last Prophet.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' looked into the Fatwa request submitted to the Grand Mufty, by the Director of (Part No. 5; Page No. 171) Al-Qunfudhah Hospital, referred to the Committee from the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars no. 348, on 20/1/1416 A.H. in which he asked the following question:Inside the hospital facility, there is a special place designated for workers to offer Salah (Prayer). It had been used as a prayer place for sometime then was closed for work-related purposes. It is noteworthy to mention that there is a Masjid (mosque) inside the hospital. It can accommodate everyone and it is not difficult for staff to offer Salah there. We need the Prayer room as space for other departments in the clinic due to expansion of hospital departments.The question is: Is it permissible to use this Prayer room as a clinic or offices for work-related purposes in the hospital, given that there is an adequate Masjid in the hospital as we have mentioned?

After examining the Fatwa request, the Committee gave the following answer: If the reality is as mentioned, it is permissible to utilize the prayer room for other purposes. This room does not take the same ruling as Masjids in terms of being a Waqf (endowment) and other aspects. (Part No. 5; Page No. 172) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.