Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

QUESTION:

As Salaamu Alaikum,

With the advent of the Coronavirus in Trinidad, what is the ruling for Jumah salaah as this is a congregation of many people where the virus can spread. Can you advise what is to be done in such an instance, and what is the position of Darul Uloom if the Government places a ban on mass gatherings.

ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum AS Salaam,

Jumuah Salah remains compulsory on those who are required to perform it, like Muslim males who have reached the age of puberty. If there is any law of the Government that tells us to close our Masjid, then we will close the Masjid, but will perform Jumuah at homes where a few brothers can come together.

If the Masjid has to be closed because it is the law of the Government, then this does not remove the compulsory nature of Jumuah Salah upon those who are required to do it. Jumuah Salah will remain compulsory even in the absence of a masjid or if it closed.

Alhamdulillah, until this time, the Government has not made any law regarding the closure of Masjid and they have not stopped prayers/worship being done in the Masjid.

They have instructed religious bodies to limit their gatherings and  not have crowds more than 25 people. The attached document gives more explanation on this issue.

And Allah Knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

18/03/2020