Short answer
Only for a real need, and never to take part in worship. In the Hanafi school, entering a temple where idols are worshipped without need is makruh tahrimi (close to forbidden), and joining puja, bowing, accepting prasad or tilak is haram. Going in for work, an official duty or a respectful study visit, without taking part, is allowed.
Entering the places of worship of other religions without need is disliked, and the dislike is stronger for temples with idols, which Hanafi muftis grade as makruh tahrimi. With a genuine need it is permitted. Any act of worship there, such as bowing to an idol, offering, or receiving consecrated food or marks, is haram, and some of it is shirk.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
A temple is a place where worship is offered to other than Allah, through images and idols. The Prophet ﷺ said angels do not enter a house with images, and the Quran praises believers who do not attend falsehood. So scholars say a Muslim should not visit temples for no reason, and should never be present as a worshipper.
Life sometimes brings a Muslim there. A doctor, police officer, council worker, journalist, builder, delivery driver or teacher on a school trip may need to go in. That is allowed, as long as you take no part.
- Not allowed: bowing or joining hands before an idol, ringing the bell, circling the shrine, receiving tilak or a sacred thread, offering flowers or money, or eating prasad (food first offered to a deity).
- Allowed with need: being present quietly, removing your shoes as a courtesy, speaking to people, doing your job.
- Sightseeing: avoid active temples, especially during puja. Ancient sites that are no longer places of worship are a lighter matter, though many muftis still advise care.
Respect is required throughout. The Quran forbids insulting what others worship, so do not mock, photograph rudely or argue with worshippers. If prayer time comes, pray outside or in a clean place with no idols in front of you. For the same rules applied to churches and synagogues, see can Muslims go to church, and see what Islam says about Hinduism and Diwali.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-An'aam 6:108
وَلَا تَسُبُّوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَدْوًۢا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍۢ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِم مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٠٨﴾
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do.
Muslims must respect the sacred things of others even while not sharing them.
Quran, Surah Al-Furqaan 25:72
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًۭا ﴿٧٢﴾
And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.
Believers stay away from gatherings of false worship.
Quran, Surah Al-Kaafiroon 109:6
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِىَ دِينِ ﴿٦﴾
For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."
Muslims do not join the worship of other faiths.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3225
Sahih... لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا فيه كلب ولا صورة ...
"The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image."
Places full of images and idols are not places for a Muslim to linger.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiya, the chapter on non-Muslim citizens. Discusses a Muslim entering the places of worship of other religions.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.