Will Praying at Home Have the Same Rewards as Praying in a Mosque during a Lethal Virus Outbreak?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Will praying at home have the same rewards as praying in a mosque during a viral outbreak, like coronavirus in the past?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, you will get the reward of praying in the mosque if you pray at home. The jurists mention that fear is one of the matters that excuse someone from praying in the mosque. [Shurunbulali, Nur al Idah]

In this situation, the fear is of contracting or becoming a carrier of a  potentially lethal illness. The government has taken steps to prevent this. It would be wise to follow their decision.

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “Everyone will have what he intends.” [Bukhari]

It is clear from your question that you would go had this barrier not been there. Therefore, you’ll get the full reward of what you intended.

The Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him) said, “When someone is sick or travels, the like of the reward of what they used to do when healthy or residence is written for them.” [Ibid.]

Please refer to this answer regarding the coronavirus and the Friday prayer.

May Allah protect us all from what harms our din, dunya, and Akhira.
[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.