Establing the congregational prayers outside closed masājid
بســـم اللــه الرحــمــن الـرحـــيــم
Our Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy- may Allah preserve him- was asked the following question on 11th Sha’baan 1441( 4th April 2020):
??Question:
The Questioner says: What is the ruling of what some of the people are doing, which is establishing the congregational prayers outside closed masājid (in Yemen)?
??Answer:
We advise the people to pray in their homes and to not display open opposition in this matter so long as they have outlawed prayers in the masjid. Sufficient for us is Allah (alone) and an excellent disposer of affairs.
This matter – Wallahi, is grave; outlawing the prayers in the masājid – the audacity to close the masājid. This, we have no doubt is displeasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)
Hastening to close down the houses of Allah, preventing worshippers and prayer goers from establishing this great ceremonial ritual within the homes of Allah; this is a monumental affair and it is feared for whoever strove in order to close down the masājid; that he falls under the statement of Allah:
《وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ وَسَعَىٰ فِى خَرَابِهَآۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَآ إِلَّا خَآئِفِينَۚ》
《And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His masājid and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear.》
(Al-Baqarah 2:114)
So there is no doubt that this certainly is a monuemental affair; striving to put an end to the masājid and placing the masājid out of the use of prayer goers with no legal justification (in Islamic Law). The sin of this will be carried by the preventers and the consequences will be borne by the ones that have the nerve (to close down the masājid).
This is incorrect without a doubt. However, it is upon the people of Islam to be patient and not instigate or incite harm upon their authorities, because as you are aware, they have (in their view) some kind of justification; which is that they are maintaining public safety by preventing the overcrowding and physical contact between people that results from compact rows and meeting in the masjid.
We ask Allah for well-being, for indeed the people meet up within the masājid and other than the masājid. So if the masājid are closed they will (continue to) meet up in the market places; qāt markets, trade markets etc. Prayers within the masjid were prevented due to the reasons of meeting up and physical contact – (both of) which exist in other than the masjid.
{عَسَى فَرَجٌ يَأْتِيْ بِهِ الله}
A way out will certainly be brought by Allah.
{إِنَّهُ لَهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ فِي خَلِيقَتِهِ أَمْر}
For indeed, he alone, every day he is (engaged) in the affairs of his creation. [1]
{ عَسَى الكَرْبُ الذِي أَمْسَيْتَ فِيه}ِ
Perhaps the hardship you were in the previous evening.
{يَكُونُ وَرَاءَهُ فَرَجٌ قَرِيب}
Behind it is close relief.
{رُبَّ أَمْرٌ تَتَّقِيه}ِ
Perhaps a matter you wish to avert.
{جَرَّ أَمْرا تَرْتَضِيهِ}
Brings about a matter you are pleased with.
{خَفِيَ المَحْبُوب مِنه}
The beloved from it was hidden.
{وبَدَا المَكْرُوهُ فِيهِ}
Whilst the disliked from it was apparent.
Better than that is the statement of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)
《فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا》
《For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.》
(Ash-Sharh 94:5)
《إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا》
《Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.》
(Ash-Sharh 94:6)
Perhaps within it is goodness we do not know. As Allah stated regarding disliked matters that lie behind them what lies behind them of goodness that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will bring about :
《وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْۖ 》
《But perhaps you dislike something and it is good for you.》
(Al-Baqarah 2:216)
《َّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا 》
《perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah
places in it much goodness.》
(An-Nisa’ 4:19)
So there may be something viewed with displeasure by the people, that their chests tighten as a result of; yet Allah brings out from it great goodness for the muslims.
The reality is that the chests of the Muslims have certainly tightened from this prevention and being kept away from the most beloved place to Allah ( سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالى َ). As the Prophet ﷺ stated:
[أَحَبُّ الْبِلَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَسَاجِدُهَا ، وَأَبْغَضُ الْبِلَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَسْوَاقُهَا]
The most beloved of lands to Allah are its masājid and the most hated of lands to Allah are its markets. [2]
The souls of the muslims do not find rest except in the houses of Allah and their hearts long for it; banning them is therefore severe and difficult for them. However, we (each) say: sufficient for me is Allah (alone) and an excellent disposer of affairs. There is no power or might except with Allah.
Translators Note: Please be aware both question and answer relate to Yemen, in which some masājid have been closed out of precaution without any confirmed case of the coronavirus in the country. It does not relate to afflicted countries.
[1] By responding to, fulfilling the requests of, removing harm from or curing the supplicant. (See Tafsir Ibn Katheer: Ar-Rahman: 29)
[2] Narrated by Abu Hurriera (may Allah be pleased with him) in Muslim (671)
Translated by: Abu Sufyaan
Saami ibn Daniel Al-Ghaani
✒Arabic Transcript https://t.me/abubilalhami/4392
Source:
https://t.me/abubilaalalhadhramy/377