ISLAMABAD: Egypt’s Al-Azhar has issued a fatwa on the request of President Dr Arif Alvi allowing suspension of Friday prayers to manage the unfold of lethal coronavirus throughout 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 stated in a tweet on Wednesday.
President Alvi by way of Egypt’s ambassador in Pakistan had sought steerage from Al-Azhar establishment, an authority on Islamic injunctions, for a phrase on the suspension of congregational prayers at mosques amid spike in coronavirus circumstances.
He additionally appealed to non secular leaders within the nation to urgently take motion on the fatwa of Egypt’s Al-Azhar establishment that termed it purely Islamic to cancel Friday prayers over coronavirus issues.
Dr Alvi talked about that the nations already suspending congregational prayers included the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
The fatwa harassed that public gatherings, together with congregational prayers at mosques, might lead to unfold of coronavirus and the governments of Muslim nations had full jurisdiction to cancel such occasions.
It additionally emphasised amending Azaan (name to prayer) with phrases ‘Salaat Fi Buyut-e-kum’, that means ‘pray in your homes’ as an alternative of the standard ‘come to prayer’. Additionally, households inside their houses can organize group prayers.
The edict says it’s compulsory for Muslims to abide by the well being directions of the state in case of disaster and keep away from following rumours and unofficial data.
As per credible medical studies, the coronavirus spreads very simply and shortly. On this scenario, the fatwa stated, saving human lives and defending them from all dangers and threats was in keeping with the good idea of Islam.
“In view of dangers to the lives of individuals, the officers in Muslim nations have full authority to cancel Friday prayers and different 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 stated.
The fatwa cites Abu Dawood narrating Ibn Abbas, who recounted that Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) stated that concern of illness is an excuse for lacking Juma payers. Furthermore, Abd Al-Rahman Ibn Auf acknowledged that the Prophet (PBUH) forbade these with disagreeable odor to keep away from going to mosques with a purpose to shield different trustworthy from disturbance.
Printed in Daybreak, March 26th, 2020
