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In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
al-Salām ʿalaykum wa raḥmat Allāh,
Much confusion still exists in the minds of many Muslims about what to do about Jumuʿah. The Darul Iftāʾ at Darul Qasim has laid out the following guidelines for both masjid boards and the public of the greater Chicago-land area.
Masjid Boards
You are NOT obligated to organize Jumuʿah if you believe you cannot abide by the “no gathering of 50 people or more rule” mandated by state law. You should inform all congregants that there will be NO official Jumuʿah prayer held at your masjid until further notice. If you know your congregants will NOT follow rules and will, in fact, become emotional and even hostile, then you must NOT hold the Jumuʿah prayers.
If you are confident – beyond any doubt – that you will be able to follow the “no gathering of 50 people or more rule” and manage the crowd, then you may – at your own discretion but at the risk of the public’s health – decide to hold the prayers. You must also take into consideration the high probability of non-community members pouring into your masjid for Jumuʿah due to closures elsewhere and prepare appropriately. Lastly, you are strongly urged to abide by the state guidelines and recommendations of no more than 10 people gatherings for the Jumuʿah prayer.
To non-board members and regular attendees.
- Homes/offices which have four or more sane and mature (bāligh) males may perform the Jumuʿah prayers therein. The individual appointed as the imām may suffice with reciting the following in both khutbahs:
التحيّات لله والصلوات والطيبات السلام عليك أيّها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين. أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمّدا عبده ورسوله. أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم يا أيها الذين آمنوا اتقوا الله حق تقاته ولا تموتنّ إلا وأنتم مسلمون.
- If four or more sane and mature (bāligh) males are not available, Ẓuhr prayer should be performed in the home/office until the prohibitions and restrictions are lifted.
- As the five daily prayers do not stipulate the same specific requirements of the Jumuʿah congregation, individuals may perform them at home in congregation as well.
Those affected by the virus
You are NOT allowed to be in any gathering – religious or otherwise. You must sit in quarantine and follow your physician’s instructions.
Darul Iftāʾ, Darul Qasim