Pausing Friday and Congregational Prayers in order to Protect People from the Coronavirus
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Statement in Arabic : 2020-03-15 Al-Azhar Supreme Council Statement ARB
English: 2020-03-15 Al-Azhar Supreme Council Statement ENG
All praise is for Almighty Allah alone, and peace and blessings be upon the One after whom there is no prophet, the Messenger Muhammad.
In light of continuous health reports regarding the rapid spread of the coronavirus, Covid-19, that has turned into a global pandemic, with widespread medical information that underscores that the real danger of the virus is the ease and speed with which it spreads and that the person who carries it may not show any symptoms nor be aware that he carries it, thereby unknowingly being able to spread the infection wherever he goes.
From the greater objectives of the law of Islam (shari‘ah) is the preservation of human life, its defence and protection from all dangers and harms. The Supreme Council of Senior Scholars of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, in view of its religious and official responsibility, notifies responsible officials in all areas and various capacities that it is religiously and officially permissible to pause the Friday and congregational prayers in any country due to fear of spreading and further increasing the virus rendering it lethal within society causing fatalities.
It is necessary for patients and the elderly to remain in their homes, to adhere to the precautionary measures announced by competent authorities in each country, and not to go out for Friday or congregational prayers. This clarity comes after what has been medically concluded, since official statistics have proven the spread of this disease and it being the cause of many deaths across the world. In assessing the risk posed by this pandemic, evidences available and the prevalence of due suspicion (ghalabat al-zann) are sufficient, such as the high levels of infection, the potential for increasing infection, and the growth and spread of the virus.
Authorities and officials in every country must exert all possible efforts and adopt precautionary means and preventive methods to stop the spread of the virus. Scholars of in-depth research are in agreement that what is very close to becoming realised is to be considered as a present reality, and that which is very close to something adopts its religious and official ruling (hukm). In addition, the physical health and wellbeing of people is categorically from amongst the greatest objectives and aims within the framework of Islamic law.
The evidence for the legality of suspending the Friday and congregational prayers in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic lies in what has been narrated in the Sahihayn, such that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas [ra] instructed his caller to prayer (mu’adhdhin): “When you have said, ‘I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’, do not say, ‘Come to the prayer’, rather say, ‘Pray in your homes’.” It was as though the people rejected this viewpoint, so he said: “He who is better than me has done this. Indeed, the Friday is a determination (‘azimah). I did not like to have you come out and walk in the mud and wet clay.”
This prophetic tradition (hadith) indicates missing the congregations in order to avoid the hardship caused by rain. There is no doubt that the danger of the virus is far greater than the hardship of going out to pray in the rain. The dispensation (rukhsah) of not praying the Friday prayer in the mosques in the situation of a virus epidemic and this dispensation to have occurred is a matter that is religiously and officially accepted, logically and juristically recognised. The religious and official alternative for this is the four units (rak‘ah) of Zuhr Prayer offered in homes or in any place that is not crowded.
The jurist scholars have concluded that fear for oneself, property or family are legitimate excuses that permit the missing of the Friday prayer or the congregation. Abu Dawud has narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas [ra] that Prophet Muhammad [upon him be peace] stated: “Whoever heard the caller and no excuse prevented him from following the call…” The Companions asked: “And what is this excuse?” The Prophet [upon him be peace] said: “Fear or illness. (He continued) Then the prayer he performed will not be accepted.” In addition, al-Bukhari and Muslim have narrated the prophetic tradition of ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf [ra] who heard the Prophet [upon him be peace] saying: “If you hear about it in any land, then do not approach it. And if it occurs in a land where you are, then do not flee and run from it.”
It is also worth considering that the Prophet [upon him be peace] forbade those who have an unpleasant smell that harms people from performing prayer in the mosque in order to prevent harm coming to people. Al-Bukhari narrates from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah [ra] that the Prophet [upon him be peace] stated: “Whoever ate garlic or onion should leave us (or he said, …leave the mosque) and he should sit at home.” The harm mentioned in this prophetic tradition is limited harm which will soon be over upon completing the prayer. However, what we face is an epidemic that will spread quite easily. It has the potential to cause a catastrophe that may go well beyond anyone’s control. We seek refuge in Almighty Allah from it.
Due to the fear that now exists as a result of the rapid spread of this virus, the strength of its lethality, and the lack of access to any viable treatment for it thus far, the Muslim is excused from performing the Friday or congregational prayers. In light of the above and the present situation, the Supreme Council of Senior Scholars of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif have concluded that it is religiously and officially permissible for any country to temporarily stop the performance of the Friday and congregational prayers when it deems that to be the most appropriate course of action upon assessment that such gatherings will actually lead to the spread of this dangerous virus.Here, the Supreme Council emphasises the following three points:
1. It is mandatory that the call to prayer (adhan) is made for every prayer in the mosques. In the event of suspending the Friday and congregational prayers, it is permissible for the caller to say in each call, ‘Pray in your homes’.
2. For a family and household who live together in their home, they should perform the prayers together in congregation. For it is not necessary that the congregational prayer be performed only in the mosques. This is until it is announced that the dangerous situation has now passed and cleared, by the grace and will of Almighty Allah.
3. It is religiously and officially necessary for all citizens to adhere to the guidance and directions issued by medical authorities in order to curtail the spread of the virus and prevail over it. It is essential that information is taken from relevant official sources, and to refrain from spreading rumours among people creating further confusion and chaos in society.
The Supreme Council of Senior Scholars of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif calls on the Muslims in the East and the West to observe and maintain the daily prayers and supplicate to Almighty Allah, to support the sick and assist them, and to increase deeds of virtue and goodness, in order that Almighty Allah lifts away this disease from the world and that He protects all our lands and people from this virus and all diseases and sicknesses. Verily He is the best Guardian and the greatest Hope.
Almighty Allah is the best Protector and He is the most Merciful.
Supreme Council of Senior Scholars Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Cairo, Egypt
Sunday 15 March 2020
