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Egypt’s Al-Azhar issues fatwa on Pakistani president's request, permits suspension of Friday prayers

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Got this from a personal friend who is a Mufti and teaching in Madressah. This is as authentic as it gets.
 
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Egypt’s Al-Azhar issues fatwa on Pakistani president's request, permits suspension of Friday prayers


Web Desk

08:28 PM | 25 Mar, 2020

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ISLAMABAD/CAIRO – The Supreme Ulema Council of Egypt's Al-Azhar University has issued a formal decree, banning congregation and Friday prayers in mosques to prevent spread of the coronavirus in the South Asian country.

In view of the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Dr Arif Alvi had requested the Al-Azhar University to guide the Ummah how to take precautionary measures while performing religious obligations like prayers at mosques.

The decree (fatwa) further states that all evidences clearly indicate that public gatherings, including congregational prayers, can spread the coronavirus. Hence, government officials in Muslim countries have the authority to cancel congregational and Friday prayers.

Saudi Arabia has banned congregations for five daily prayers, as well as Friday prayers all over the country except inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

Turkey's top religious authority has also suspended all congregational prayers in mosques, including traditional Friday prayers, but said mosques will remain open for those who want to pray individually.

Mosques in Kuwait, where prayer congregations are banned, went so far as to transform the Azaan or the call to prayer slightly — instead of the usual call that includes Hayya Ala Al salah (come to prayer), muezzins in the country are announcing Al Salatu Fi Buyutikum (pray in your homes) from mosques five times a day.

The transformed call to prayer is rooted in the Sahih Bukhari, which has a narration from Abdullah bin Al-Harith on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) allowing for the exact same changes to the Azaan on rainy or muddy days.

Iran and other centres of Muslim faith have also suspended activities at shrines and holy mosques in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.

However, authorities in Pakistan are yet to come up with a clear direction on the matter, even as they push for social distancing amidst unprecedented measures to curb the spread which threatens the country's healthcare system and economy.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) will begin consultations with ulema from Thursday to decide whether prayers can be offered at home as opposed to congregations in mosques as Pakistan goes into lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.


Why an outside of your country will suggest what should you do in your home? Is it regular feature to happen?
 
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Why an outside of your country will suggest what should you do in your home? Is it regular feature to happen?

In case you forget he's a fellow Muslim scholar which makes him an authority on global Muslim affairs. Burn your chaddi elsewhere
 
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The advisers of the President do not live in Pakistan. Hence, they do not know what works best in Pakistan.
 
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In case you forget he's a fellow Muslim scholar which makes him an authority on global Muslim affairs. Burn your chaddi elsewhere

Well...I will burn my chadee...so see things ....Good Luck..
 
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In case you forget he's a fellow Muslim scholar which makes him an authority on global Muslim affairs. Burn your chaddi elsewhere

Nationalism aside...
Funny how muslims are more logic based when it comes to religion and protection from viruses. Unlike his kind who recommend cow feces and urine as protection...
 
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Why some people objecting to this? Al azhar is very old and is the best seat of Islamic knowledge, whats wrong in asking for a decree?
If anything its a good gesture, amongst all the selfishness and hate. this little gesture gives us a sense of similarity with other muslims. Poisonous nationalism is always bad.
 
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ISLAMABAD: Egypt’s Al-Azhar has issued a fatwa on the request of President Dr Arif Alvi permitting suspension of Friday prayers to control the spread of deadly coronavirus across Pakistan.

“I am thankful to Grand Imam Shaikh of Al-Azhar and Supreme Council for responding to my personal request to provide guidance to us with regard to Farz Jamaat and Juma prayers in mosques during coronavirus attack,” the president said in a tweet on Wednesday.

He also appealed to religious leaders in the country to urgently take action on the fatwa of Egypt’s Al-Azhar institution that termed it purely Islamic to cancel Friday prayers over coronavirus concerns.


Dr. Arif Alvi

✔@ArifAlvi


I request Ulema to take urgent action to stop #CoronaVirus spread in Pakistan, based on principles of Islam from Quran & Sunnah.
Countries that have stopped congregational prayers: UAE, Saudia, Iran, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt etc. https://twitter.com/PresOfPakistan/status/1242774326962720768 …

The President of Pakistan@PresOfPakistan

I am thankful to Grand Imam Shaikh of Al Azhar & Supreme Council, for responding to my personal request to provide guidance to us with regard to Farz Jamaat & Juma prayers in mosques during #CoronaVirusPakistan attack. The details of Fatwa are below for our Ulema to take action.





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Dr Alvi mentioned that the countries already suspending congregational prayers included the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.

The fatwa stressed that public gatherings, including congregational prayers at mosques, could result in spread of coronavirus and the governments of Muslim countries had full jurisdiction to cancel such events.

It also emphasized amending Azaan (call to prayer) with words ‘Salaat Fi Buyut-e-kum’, meaning ‘pray in your homes’ instead of the usual ‘come to prayer’. Also, families within their homes can arrange group prayers.

The edict says it is obligatory for Muslims to abide by the health instructions of the state in case of crisis and avoid following rumours and unofficial information.

As per credible medical reports, the coronavirus spreads very easily and quickly. In this situation, the fatwa said, saving human lives and protecting them from all risks and threats was in line with the great concept of Islam.

“In view of risks to the lives of people, the officials in Muslim countries have full authority to cancel Friday prayers and other congregational prayers.

“Furthermore, the older people should remain at their homes and follow the stated medical guidelines as all evidences clearly show that public gatherings, including prayers, constitute a conducive environment for virus,” it said.

The fatwa cites Abu Dawood narrating Ibn Abbas, who recounted that Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) said that fear of sickness is an excuse for missing Juma payers. Moreover, Abd Al-Rahman Ibn Auf stated that the Prophet (PBUH) forbade those with unpleasant smell to avoid going to mosques in order to protect other faithful from disturbance.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2020
 
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Pakistan government has to seek a fatwa from Egypt to stop jumma prayers in pakistan...this shows how strong the hold of religion on Pakistani society is...even during this time of epidemic govt is scared to outrightly shut mosques and ask people to perform namaz at home.
Many islamic countries have already done that..but pakistan govt cant do that on its own out of fear and has to request fatwas from Saudi and Egypt....for any person who really loves his country(and self respect),this is a matter of shame....the president of pakistan requesting a madarsa in egypt to issue a fatwa !
 
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