What are considered the limits of the Masjid religiously
Question :
What are considered the limits of the Masjid religiously? And concerning the streets that run alongside the Masjid, are they considered as part of the Masjid such that it is correct to offer the Jumu'ah (Friday) prayer in them when the Masjid (space) is constricted due to the great number of people, even though there are other Masjids that are not filled with people who come to offer the prayer?
Answer:
The limits of the Masjid that has been built for the Muslims to offer the five prayers in congregation includes what is encompassed by it of structures, wood, branches, stalks or anything similar to that. This is what is given the ruling of the Masjid, and the menstruating woman, the woman with postnatal bleeding, the sexually defiled person - and people similar to them are prevented from staying in it. It is permissible for whoever comes to the Masjid and finds it packed with people, to pray the Friday congregational prayer and other prayers, whether obligatory or voluntary, outside the Masjid. One may do so in the closest place to the Masjid on the road beside it, as long as he is able in his prayer to follow the prayer of the Imam exactly. This is allowed due to the necessity for it under the condition that the person is not in front of the Imam (when he is praying). However, this place (where the person prays outside) does not have the same ruling as the Masjid, and Allah knows best.
Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 3 Pages 20-21