Fatwa: # 46992
Category: Prayer (Salaat)
Country: South Africa
Date: 13th January 2021

Title

Jumu'ah Salaah during the second wave of Covid-19

Question

Assalamualikum, sorry just wanted to ask you. If Masjids are open for Jummah, should we attend as there is a high risk than the first lockdown when Masjids were closed? 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.  

As-salāmu 'alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.  

 

Shariah has placed a great level of importance upon the Jummuah prayers.  

Consider the following verse: 

 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 

Translation: "O you who believe! When the call for Friday prayer is made, hasten towards the remembrance of Allah Most High and leave all transactions. This is best for you if only you know." (Surah Jummah, 9)

 

In this verse, "remembrance" refers to the Friday prayer and khutbah. "Hasten" means that one should go with great concern and care. 

 

مَنْ تَرَكَ ثَلَاثَ جُمَعٍ تَهَاوُنًا بِهَا طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ 

Translation: The person who misses out three Friday's without any valid reason, Allah Most High puts a seal over his heart (Abu Dawud, 1052) 

 

From the aforementioned narrations one can recognise the importance Shariah has placed upon Salaatul Jummuah. 

 

It is a religious obligation upon us to perform the Jummuah prayer. Just like in this world, governments around the world have identified certain sectors as essential for the survival of the economy and country and therefore remain open, similarly, fulfilling one's religious obligation is of enormous significance to ensure the survival and well being of one's spiritual health. 

 

Not to mention infection and illness is from Allah alone and Allah alone is our protector. The most effective means of guaranteeing protection is by obeying the commandments of Allah. As of now there are no legal obligations to shut the Masajid and therefore the obligation of Jummuah remains. Therefore, provided the guidelines are properly implemented one should attend the Jummuah prayers.  

 

We make Dua Allah Ta'ala, protect us in these difficult times and strengthen our reliance upon him. 

 

And Allah Ta'āla Knows Best 

Mohammed 

Student Darul Iftaa  

UK 

Checked and Approved by, 
Mufti Ebrahim Desai. 

 

 

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