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CCMT Covid-19 Advice For Masjid Boards And The General Public

3-18-2020

The Jami’yyatul Ulama (CCMT) recognizes that each masjid and its community will have their own situations and challenges based on community demographics, location, size of masjid and congregation, volunteers, crowd control capabilities, fiqhi affiliations, and cultural backgrounds. Thus, to give one ruling that fits everyone is not appropriate nor Islamically responsible. The following are a broad set of guidelines that can be filtered by masjids and used as a basis for their circumstances and congregations.

Recommendations to the Masjid Boards:
Due to the revolving circumstances and continuous consultation with expert Muslim Doctors and Pathologists we, the Covid-19 CCMT Advisory Committee, recommend the following:

 

  • Masjid boards should consult their resident scholar on the best course of action for their community.
  • Over the past 72 hours the CCMT has been deliberating the issue of suspending congregational worship in the Masaajid. After hours of discussions with Ulama, Muftis, Pathologists and doctors, the CCMT has decided that the option of continuing with restrictions and suspending both have merit based on sound Islamic jurisprudence. Masaajid board members may adopt which ever option they deem appropriate for their community. Masaajid boards are responsible for their decisions.
  • It is strongly recommended that those Masaajid that choose to remain open for congregational prayers should limit the capacity of their congregants to what their Province has declares (currently at 50 in Ontario).
  • We encourage the community to perform their prayers at home with their families.
  • The government’s social distancing guidelines should be adhered to. They are not contrary to our Islamic guidelines.
  • All classes, halaqahs, programs and all other non-obligatory practices should be cancelled. However, alternative methods should be adopted to continue Islamic education and programs.
  • Maintain purity of the masjid by ensuring sanitization.
  • Masjids are encouraged to establish communication lines between the congregation and their Imam.
  • Masjids are encouraged to make arrangements on assisting community members and checking on them, especially the seniors, disabled, single parent households, refugees, and new immigrants. They should also telecommunicate with the self isolated.
  • A detailed academic document will be provided to the scholars of CCMT.

These recommendations may be updated due to the rapidly changing information and updates from Public Health.

Recommendations to the Canadian Muslim public:

  • Increase your optional acts of worship including ?adaqah (charity), optional fasts, prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, dhikr, salawaat, and supplications.
  • Adopt patience during this trial and ask Allah for ease and comfort.
  • Increase seeking forgiveness (istighfar) and repentance (tawbah), and refrain from all acts that will displease Allah.
  • Suspend all social gatherings and functions e.g. walimahs, wedding dinners, and fundraisers, etc.
  • If anyone has been advised to self isolate, go into quarantine immediately as you are Islamically obligated to follow those instructions.
  • Please do not hoard food and groceries. Share this blessing with your fellow citizens and maintain your regular shopping practice.
  • Do not circulate rumours, misinformation, etc. by any means of communication.
  • Check on and assist your neighbours especially the seniors, disabled, single parent households, refugees, and new immigrants.
  • We strongly encourage all Muslims to perform all their salah at home in congregation. As for Jumu’ah prayers outside the masjid, kindly consult your local scholar on it.
  • Have a habit of being in a constant state of wudu.
  • We discourage any private tuition.
  • We encourage everyone to continue supporting their local masjid with your generous donations.

These instructions are subject to change in the event that circumstances change. 

May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala let this tribulation pass with ease and make it a means of us coming closer to Him. May He protect our iman and beliefs and protect us from anything that displeases him. Ameen

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Article Source: ALAMEENPOST.COM