IAR’s Office of the Imam has clarified that the general Muslim population is still not required to attend Jumuah or daily prayers in the masjid if they do not wish to. Those displaying any symptoms of illness or who have tested positive for COVID-19 must NOT attend. The AMJA Fiqh Council has written:
“The general Muslim population is afforded a concession to be absent from Jumu’ah and congregational prayers and instead to pray Dhuhr on Friday and the other five daily prayers in their homes, out of fear of spreading the virus. This is based on the advice of experts, specialists, and medical professionals at this current time.
As for those whose aspirations have reached the level of hastening to attend Jumu’ah and congregational prayer in order to join the ranks of those who utilize the houses of Allah and glorify His rites within them, we hope they are included with those whose aspirations are to rush to righteousness on the condition that they take the necessary medical precautions, beginning with ensuring that they are not already infected with the virus and have none of its symptoms, wearing a protective face mask, performing sujood on their own personal prayer rug, and keeping a distance of six feet between themselves and others the entire time, along with whatever other public health instructions are circulating from trusted and official sources. The gatherings for prayer must also be permitted by the relevant authorities.
As for those who do not want to do so (i.e., to attend congregational and Jumu’ah prayers while the pandemic is still a known threat), we hope that they are included in the concession, because these issues are based on the majority and most people around the country are still prohibited from attending these rituals.”
