Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

QUESTION:

As Salaamu Alaikum,

Due to the Corona virus pandemic, the Indian government has instructed all gatherings to be limited to at most six people. As a result, all the masjids in our locality were shut down for the public. Only the trustees and the imam of the masjids offer namaz in congregation. However, one masjid was an exception so far in that it was allowing musallis from outside as well and so far I had been offering namaaz in congregation in that masjid. However, it was issued multiple notices by the police from time to time that if gatherings are not limited, they will shut down the masjid. Therefore, for fear of the masjid getting shut down by the police, the imam, along with the trustees of the masjid, had decided to temporarily bar the outsiders from attending the jamaat. However, today I could hear from the mike the khutbah but, by then, it was too late for me to attend the jumuah. It was never announced that the jumuah will take place. In that case, is the jumuah that has taken place in the masjid valid? Regarding this, I also have another query. If the government bans public gatherings beyond six people and our neighborhood masjid does not comply with the order but allows people to come to the masjid for namaaz, what should we do if we hear reports of police beating up namazees with their sticks for complying? In our locality, though there have been multiple notices, I’ve not heard of police beating up namazees and therefore, in my opinion, the chances of that happening is low, and so I am not much afraid that police might beat me up. However, if my mother is very afraid and she does not want me to take that risk and prohibits me to attend the masjid in that situation, should I listen to her or should I go for congregational namaz including jumuah?

ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

1). With respect to your first question, the Jumu’ah performed in that masjid is valid.

2). If the Gov’t bans public gatherings beyond six people, then your masjid must comply with this order, and must not allow public gatherings in their masjid with more than six people.

3). In the last situation which you have asked about, you should listen to your mother and refrain from attending the masjid for congregational namaz and Jumu’ah, on account of the present state.       Especially when multiple notices have been given and it is seen that people are being beaten by the police.

And Allah knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

10/4/2020