In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A Statement Issued by the Irish Council of Imams
Re: Important Issues of Ramadan in Light of COVID-19
Praise be to Allah, the Lords of the worlds, and may Allah’s peace, blessings, and mercy be upon our Prophet Muhammad.
The Irish Council of Imams would like to take this opportunity of these blessed days to congratulate the Muslim community in Ireland on the commencement of the blessed month of Ramadan 1442 H. We pray to Allah to let us witness the next Ramadan while the entire world and we are enjoying abundant good and blessings. We pray to Allah to remove this pandemic, permit His peace to prevail all over the world. The ICI stresses the following:
- Adhering to statements issued by the state officials and Fatwas issued by great scholars, we recommend that mosques and Islamic centres remain closed and establish Salahs in congregations and Dhuhr instead of the Friday Salah at home to avert harm and protect people’s lives, a well-established and essential aspect of Islam and one of its mandated duties that preaches protection of life and safeguarding it against any harm. It is worth mentioning here that any step leading to transmitting this virus, taken while being aware, is a wrongdoing and represents a violation of Islamic teachings and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It could mount to the reason for killing if it leads to someone’s death. Allah says: “if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Trans. 5:32)
- The Friday Salahs and the Taraweeh Salahs led by an Imam on Radio, TV, live show, or any internet means of communication are invalid in consistency with the perception expressed by the Fiqh academies. This rule applies to obligatory as well as supererogatory Salahs.
- Due to the continuous COVID-19 situation resulting in closing mosques, we recommend that the Taraweeh Salahs should be established at home in congregations led by a family member, who is the most aversed of Allah’s Book. Also, it is a good idea to train our children on leading Salahs. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, says: “Establish Salahs at home, as the best supererogatory Salah is that offered at home.” Reported by Muslim. In the case when one does not know the Qur’an by heart, it is permissible to read from the Book during these voluntary Salahs.
- Muslims capable of observing fasting should fast. Allah says: “So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting.” (Trans. 2:185) It has been expressed in definitive terms by specialists, experts, and doctors that fasting has healthy advantages e.g. reinforcing immunity, something needed in current times. This fact is also expressed in several scientific studies.
As for patients incapable of fasting, as instructed by medical experts, since fasting causes repercussions e.g. increasing their diseases or postponing their recovery, are exempted from fasting. In the case of suffering from a chronic disease, one should provide food for one poor person per day and if not one is to make up the same number of days s/he missed but later on. Allah says: “but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later.” (Trans. 2:184)
- During this pandemic, The ICI urges Muslims to adhere to safety measures e.g. social distancing and refraining from having Iftar in groups.
- The ICI urges Muslims in Ireland to reinforce their links with Allah and perform many righteous deeds e.g. reciting Qur’an, Dhikr and Salahs and pray to Allah to remove this pandemic from the entire world. In addition, Muslims are to seek Allah’s forgiveness and offer sincere repentance.
We pray to Allah to remove this pandemic and cure the unwell.
30th of Shaaban 1442H corresponding to 12/04/2021
Chairman Deputy Chairman
Sheik Hussein Halawa Sheikh Yahya Al-Hussein
Click on the links below for the Arabic and English statements from the ICI.
