Can Muslims visit a Hindu or Buddhist temple?

Why temples are a stricter question

The heart of Islam is worshipping Allah alone, with no image or partner beside Him. Hindu temples (mandirs) house murtis, sacred images of deities, and Buddhist temples usually hold statues of the Buddha that people bow to and make offerings before. Because a temple is built around these acts, scholars apply the early Muslims' reluctance to enter churches with statues even more strongly here.

Scholars' views roughly fall into two groups:

• Stricter view: don't enter places built for image worship unless there's a real need, and never during worship.
• More lenient view: a short visit for a valid reason, like a school trip, tourism in Asia or supporting a friend, is allowed if you only observe and your heart rejects the worship.

What to avoid

Whatever view you follow, a Muslim doesn't take part in another faith's worship. In practice that means:

• not bowing, kneeling or putting your hands together before a statue;
• not joining puja, aarti or chanting, and not ringing the temple bell as part of a prayer;
• not making offerings of flowers, incense, fruit or money to a deity or the Buddha;
• not eating prasad, food offered to a deity, or accepting a blessing mark (tilak) or sacred thread.

If a friend's celebration is the reason you're there, the same line between social time and worship applies. See Can I go to a Diwali party as a Muslim?

Common situations

• Travel in Asia: famous temples in Thailand, Japan, Bali or India are major sights. Many Muslims admire them from the outside or the grounds, or visit briefly as observers.
• School trips: it's usually fine to attend, listen and learn without joining in. Tell the teacher if any part involves a ritual.
• Meditation classes: Buddhist centers sometimes run meditation sessions that include chanting or bowing. Focus on breathing alone, or skip the religious parts. See Is yoga haram?
• Etiquette: taking off your shoes and dressing modestly are simply good manners in a temple, and Muslims are already used to both.

Respect without taking part

Islam asks Muslims to be clear about their own beliefs while being courteous to others:

So don't mock the statues or rituals, and don't lecture your hosts. Islam also forbids insulting what others worship (Quran 6:108). The same balance applies to church services on festivals. See Can I go to church with my family on Christmas Eve as a Muslim?