In the light of recent instructions put out by several nations with regards to closure of Masājid due to pandemic outbreak of Covid-19 and advise to offer the obligatory prayers at home, Shaykh Abū Muhammad ‘Abdul Hamīd al-Zu’kurī al-Ḥajūrī حفظه الله posted the following clarification:
- Restricting from (entering) masājid is not approved except if calamity prevails and overwhelms
- Restricting the diseased from entering upon the healthy and vice versa is mandatory[1]
- Obedience to the walī al-Amr (those who oversee the affairs of the muslims) in (affairs of) obedience to Allah is obligatory[2]
- In the likes of such novel affairs (Nawāzil)[3], differing is not denounced
- There is no sin upon the people for failing to perform the Jumu’ah (Friday prayer) and the Jama’ah (Congregational Prayer) due to inability to do so.
Source: https://twitter.com/A_Alzoukory/status/1239870129678270472?s=20
– Translated by Abū Aasiya Muzaffar غفر الله له
Translator’s Footnotes:
- Due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ, “Do not put a sick one with a healthy one” Agreed upon.
- As evidenced by the narration of Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنه: The ‘Prophet ﷺ said, “It is obligatory for one to listen to and obey (the ruler’s orders) unless these orders involve one disobedience (to Allah); but if an act of disobedience (to Allah) is imposed, he should not listen to or obey it.” Sahih al-Bukhari 2955
- Major affairs which have affected the Muslims and therefore require guidance from the recognised major scholars
1_ منع المساجد مطلقا لا يسلم إلا إذا عم البلاء وطم
2_ منع المريض من الدخول على الأصحاء والعكس واجب
3_ طاعة ولي الأمر في طاعة الله واجبة
4_ في مثل هذه النوازل المختلف فيها لا ينكر عليه
5_ ليس على الناس إثم في التخلف عن الجمعة والجماعة لعدم الاستطاعة
