Is Honouring Sculptures or Buildings with Flowers Permissible in Islam?

Question: Is it permissible in Islam to honour a sculpture or a building by placing flowers on it?

Answer: This is not permissible according to the ruling given here. Islam prescribes specific forms of conduct and respect for the Holy Kaaba and the Black Stone. Going beyond these prescribed practices can also be sinful.

The three mosques specifically designated for special religious merit are the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine. No other mosque has been designated for visits specifically intended to obtain special religious rewards.

Apart from places that Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have identified as symbols of Islam or as having special religious status, no other structure or place is granted sacred or exalted status in Islam.

Therefore, practices such as requiring people to remove their shoes at a particular place, bowing in reverence, assigning special religious status to a structure, or describing it as sacred or exalted are not permitted under this ruling. Such practices would be considered bid‘ah (religious innovation) or contrary to Islamic law.