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COVID 19 – I’tikaaf & Eid Guidelines 1441/2020

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by TheMufti.com

I’tikaaf during lockdown


The performance of I’tikaaf is observed in the Masjid during the last 10 days of Ramadaan. However, this year, due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 lockdown, the performance of I’tikaaf in the Masjid may not be legally possible. Therefore, the performance of Salaah and other acts of worship should continue at home.

Those who had the intention of performing I’tikaaf in the Masjid will surely be rewarded by Allah for their intention, Inshallah. Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

مَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا، كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةً، وَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَعَمِلَهَا، كُتِبَتْ لَهُ عَشْرًا إِلَى سَبْعِ مِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ

He who intends to do a good deed, but did not do it, one good is recorded for him, and he who intends to do a good deed and also did it, ten to seven hundred good deeds are recorded for him. (Muslim)

Females may observe I’tikaaf at home and all the laws of I’tikaaf will apply to them.

Sadaqatul Fitr during lockdown

The Sadaqatul Fitr value should be discharged prior to the day of Eid or the Eid Salaah. The Sadaqatul Fitr amount in KwaZulu Natal is R20 and should be given to the poor and needy (Zakaat eligible recipients) or arranged with a person/organization authorized to disburse charity during lockdown.

Eid during lockdown

Under the restrictions of the COVID 19 lockdown, the performance of Eid-ul-Fitr outside the home may not be legally possible.

Therefore, Eid may be performed at home if four mature males including the Imam are present for the Eid Khutbah and Salaah. One’s family may also join the Eid Salaah at home. In the absence of four mature males, 2 or 4 Rakaats of optional Salaah should be performed individually.

Method of performing Eid at home

The Eid Salah consists of two rak`ats of congregational Salaah without any Adhan or Iqamah. The Salaah is performed in the same method as an ordinary Salaah but with the addition of six extra Takbirs, and raising the hands with every extra Takbir. The time for Eid Salaah is after sunrise to mid-day. The Eid Salaah is performed first followed by the Eid Khutbah.

Eid Salaah

1st Rakaat – The Imam will say the first Takbir – Allahu Akbar while lifting his hands and folding them. The followers will also say Allahu Akbar, raise their hands, then fold them and read Thana (praise of Allah).

The Imam and the followers will thereafter say three extra Takbirs, raising their hands with every Takbir and leaving them to the sides without folding them after the first two Takbeers. There is nothing to be recited between the extra Takbirs. After the third extra Takbir, the Imam and followers will fold their hands as normal. The Imam will then recite, Surah al-Fatihah and any Surah, preferably, Surah A’ala, and complete the rak`at as done in an ordinary Salaah.

2nd Rakaat – The Imam stands up for the second rak`ah and will recite Surah al-Fatiha followed by any other Surah, preferably, Surah Ghaashiyah. Before going into Ruku, the Imam will recite three extra Takbirs and the followers will do the same. The Imam will then say a 4th Takbir without raising the hands and go into Ruku. The Salaah will then be completed as normal.

Eid Khutbah

After the Eid Salaah is performed, the Imaam will stand facing the congregants and read the first Khutbah. After the first Khutbah, the Imaam will sit for a short duration on the mimbar (pulpit) or a chair. He will then stand again and read the second Khutbah. At the end of the second Khutbah, the performance of the Eid Khutbah is concluded.

The method of the Eid Khutbah and Salah is as per the Hanafi Fiqh.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

This answer was collected from TheMufti.com, which is a fatwa portal managed by Mufti Ismaeel Bassa from South Africa.

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