In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…
The following is a question posed to Shaykh Dr. Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah bless and preserve him) on Friday night, the 19th of al-Muharram, 1443 (August 27, 2021):
May Allah treat you well, noble shaykh, this questioner says: Does not wearing a mask due to health reasons make it permissible to leave off the Jumu’ah and congregational prayers in the masjid, since these conditions have been stipulated by the Corona Committee in our land, and may Allah reward you with good?
The shaykh’s answer:
With regards to what the specialists, from the physicians, have confirmed, as well as what the rulers have commanded with and the scholars have spoken with, it is an obligation; it is obligatory to take these precautions and safeguards in order that we may repel this harm which has befallen the people, and has befallen the Muslims. For *There should neither be harm nor reciprocal harm.* It is a must that the masks be worn, because the physicians and specialists have confirmed that they, by the permission of Allāh, (help to) repel this disease on a large scale.
So if a person has an excuse preventing him from wearing a mask due to any health reason, as has come within the question, we say: Yes, as long you cannot wear it, then do not attend along with Muslims. Pray in your house so that you can do so (i.e., pray maskless), because this mask is a must, and it is also a must to socially distance; for these precautions, the specialists hold them to be binding, and the reality indicates their benefit. And all this is by the permission of Allāh, the Glorified and High. For they are from (taking) the means (for protection).
Source: This (Arabic) recording (MP3)
Translation: Raha Batts (may Allah reward him)
rev.mr
FURTHER RESOURCES ON THE TOPIC:
PDF: Nine Advices As Relates the Novel Coronavirus by the Mufti Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh
PDF: Advice of Shaykh ‘Abdullah al-Bukhari About Coronavirus
Video: Healthy, Realistic, Practical Optimism During the Coronavirus Outbreak (Youtube)
PDF: Fleeing From the Decree to the Decree [Rahmaaniyyah, Abul-Hasan Maalik]
Video: Don’t Downplay the Seriousness of the Coronavirus! (Youtube)
MP3 Audio: Key Lessons About the Coronavirus [Hassan Somali]
PDF: The Issue of Contagion – An Islamic Perspective [Taqweem Aslam]
Article: What Blessings Could Come From the Closing of Masjids?!
Khutbah: Coronavirus – How Muslims Understand it & Other Epidemics
MP3 Audio: Q&A About Coronavirus Conspiracy Theorists [Hassan Somali]
Genuine question: how exactly will the people who are following this advice know when to attend the masjid without the mask?
Since the shaykh said it is an obligation, will he at sometime come and say it is no longer an obligation? Are you guys in 1MM still distancing, masking?
Lastly, genuinely: now in May 2022, if someone is sick and they come to the masjid are they then sinning according to the shuyookh?
We don’t need to be unnecessarily rigid in the Religion, the pandemic had its peaks and spikes of spreading (by Allah’s Permission), which our leaders and scholars paid attention to and gave advice based on, in concert with reliable Muslim health experts. We did our best to stay informed and keep our local community safe. This is something that our community is generally happy with and appreciative of, wal-hamdu lillaah. I ask Allah to reward our diligent community leaders with good for their excellent service and exemplary concern throughout these difficult times, and the Muslim leaders and decision makers everywhere! We hope the worst of those days are over, and that Allah keeps us safe. In our area, the spread has lessened significantly, al-hamdu lillaah, and at 1MM in Pittsburgh we lifted our mask requirement and returned to connected prayer rows some time ago.
And when a person is sick with a communicable illness (at any time), he takes the concession of Allah, in this religion of grace and ease, and he stays home and does not overburden himself or potentially harm his community. If he is sick with a non-communicable illness (like an injury or a migraine, for example), with an illness that makes attendance difficult for him, he is excused as well, but there is no concern of harming others if he does attend. This is clear and easy, and not a difficult matter to understand, as the Muslim is concerned for his community, his neighbors, his family, and his peers at school or work, and most importantly, his believing brothers at the houses of Allah. And be warned of over-complicating simple matters and overburdening yourself and others, looking for arguments and discord, as those who go overboard in the religion are ruined! And Allah knows best; may He guide us to what He loves and is pleased with.