Eid Ṣalāh in a town with no Masjid
Question
Is it permissible in the current situation (Covid-19 pandemic) for Eid Salah to be performed in an empty room of a restaurant if there is Idhn ʿĀm (general permission and access) and the worshippers maintain a distance of 1 or 2 metres between each other in Salah? This is bearing in mind the fact that the nearest Masjid is 30 minutes away by car and also everyone does not have access to a car. So, would it be permissible for the Muslims living in this town to get together and perform their Eid Salah in this manner?
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
It is permissible for Muslims living in a town where there is no Masjid and no Eid Ṣalāh facilities to organise Eid Ṣalāh in a restaurant or any other venue, subject to any legal restrictions. Outdoor venues are preferred. The ḥanafī school requires the presence of four bāligh (mature) males including the Imam for Eid Ṣalāh to be valid.
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
6 Dhū al-Ḥijjah 1441 / 27 July 2020
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir