What obligation results from vowing to visit a mosque other than the Three Mosques (Masajid Al-Thalatha)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Vows
Primary text
If one vows to visit any mosque other than the Sacred Mosque, the mosque of the Prophet (PBUH), or Al-Aqsa Mosque, visiting it is not obligatory. However, if one vows to perform prayer in that mosque, the prayer itself becomes obligatory, but the specific location is not binding. The prayer is fulfilled wherever it is performed because prayer is not specific to one place over another. This view is held by the majority, citing the Hadith where the Prophet (PBUH) stated, 'No journey should be undertaken except towards three mosques: the Sacred Mosque, my mosque [in Medina], and Al-Aqsa Mosque,' which is agreed upon (Muttafaqun 'alayh).
Supporting text
Al-Layth bin Sa'd held a dissenting opinion, stating that if one vows prayer or fasting in a specific place, it must be performed in that place. He also held that if one vows to walk to a mosque, they must walk to it. However, Al-Tahawi noted that no jurist agreed with Al-Layth on this point, as it would necessitate undertaking a journey (Shadd al-Rihal) to an ordinary mosque, and worship is not inherently tied to a specific location to make its performance there a required act of devotion (Qurbah).