Is It Permissible for Us to Skip Congregation during the Virus Outbreak?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
Would it be permissible not to go to Friday prayer due to the risk of getting affected by Coronavirus or spreading Coronavirus to vulnerable people (like elders or sick people)?
Likewise, if your mother wishes for you not to go to congregational prayers due to the worry of getting infected, what should you do?
Answer
I pray you are well.
In this situation, it is better to stay home and stay safe. There are a number of legitimate situations where it is superior to stay home, and where the obligation of the Friday prayer is suspended. This is one such situation.
We have a principle that the scholars derived from the Shari‘a: “Preventing harm takes precedence over attaining benefit.” Therefore, you should take every precaution to stay safe, and you’ll have the full reward of praying your normal prayers and the Friday prayer in the congregation. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Tahaqwi, Hashiyat Maraqi al Falah]
Please watch this answer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani for a detailed response to this question. May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.
Related:
May Allah give us complete conviction in His wisdom in deciding all things.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008, he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
