Answered by: Maulana Selim Saldiran
Question
I would appreciate it if this could be responded to promptly. Recently, due to the coronavirus outbreak, there has been a lot of panic. Due to this, my mother has declared that I am no longer allowed to head out for Friday prayer (and other congregations). What should I do?
As additional information, I currently live in the UAE, Dubai and schools have just been shut down for 4 weeks. In total there have been an estimated 20 cases.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Firstly, if someone has symptoms of the virus he should not attend the prayer. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “A sick person should not be taken to one who is healthy.” (Muslim)
Secondly, a highly vulnerable person should also refrain from public places (like the elderly). The Prophet (pbuh) said: “One should stay away from the disease, as one runs away from a lion.” (Bukhari)
If someone is not amongst these groups, he should attend the Friday prayer.[1]
If there are some restrictions by the government, he should pray Zuhr at home.[2]
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Selim Saldiran
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] Marāqī al-Fallāh, Maktabat al-‘Asriyya, 193
[2] Radd al-Muhtar, Dar al-Fikr, 2/151