Different disease outbreaks or even more dangerous pandemics such as tsunamis, floods, earthquakes or even volcanic eruptions have occurred in the past but what’s different this time was that the world saw that the biggest miracle on Earth, the continuous Tawaf around the black building in Masjid ul Haram, Makkah was stopped. Muslims all across the world got devastated seeing the dreadful images of empty Mataf.
However, after proper sensitization, both the Grand Holy Masjid of Makkah and Madinah were opened for citizens and Saudi expats however, pilgrimage is strictly banned. Congregation prayers and Friday prayer in Masjid across the world is suspended with changing the wording in Adhan advising people to stay at home and offer their prayer.
With Ramadan about to come, people speculated the chances of Taraweeh and Sehr-o-Iftar in the Masjid. The government busted the bubble of ideas and made a clear statement about the grand arrangements that occur every year in Masjid for Ramadan.
The Grand Announcement by the Saudi Ministry Regarding Ramadan
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced that,
Taraweeh prayers would not be conducted during Ramadan due to the Coronavirus threat. People are advised to perform at home as the suspension of prayers at mosques would not be lifted until the end of Coronavirus.
Why does the Ministry took this Decision?
According to local newspaper, the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Abdul Latif Al Sheikh said, The suspension of performing the 5 daily prayers at mosques is more important than the suspension of Taraweeh prayers. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept Taraweeh prayers whether held at mosques, or homes, which we think is better for people’s health. We ask Allah to accept prayers from all of us and protect humanity from this epidemic that hit the entire world.
What Guidelines are given by the Ministry for Funeral Prayer?
According to the instructions and precautions issued by the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities, only 5 to 6 people from the deceased’s family can perform funeral prayers for the dead. Al Sheikh said,
This is a precaution in line with the prohibition of gatherings, so that funeral prayers take place at cemeteries should not exceed five to six of the deceased’s relatives, and the rest pray at their homes.
What reason did Al-Sheikh give in his explanation to the suspension?
Al Sheikh said that the funeral prayers are not greater than obligatory prayers, so it is possible to pray individually, because what important is that people should gathering in the same place, where it would be possible to transmit the infection.
Although Ramadan is the biggest and the longest festivity of Muslims across the world but with the Coronavirus threat it seems like everyone has to suffer from the heart-wrenching experience of spending Ramadan without any grand arrangements. But since Ramadan is the month of Muslims, we all should pray wholeheartedly that this dangerous threat soon vanishes so people can re-unite and spend Eid together as a festivity.
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