The decision to suspend prayer in the mosques will continue to be in force, if the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic does not disappear worldwide, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullateef Bin Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh has asserted in an interview on MBC satellite channel’s “In a Week” Program transmitted on Saturday.
Al-Asheikh prayed to Allah Almighty that the pandemic disappears soon, adding that suspending obligatory prayer is more important and greater than suspending “Taraweeh” prayer.
He supplicated to Allah Almighty to accept all Muslims’ Taraweeh prayer, whether it is performed in congregation in the mosques or at home. Al-Asheikh prayed to Allah to ward off this pandemic from all mankind.
He also spoke on how to conduct funeral prayer following the temporary closure of mosques.
“From the perspective of taking all the necessary precautionary and preventative measures and relying on Allah Almighty, all the people must comply with the directives issued by the competent authorities,” Al-Asheikh asserted.
“What is issued by the related and competent authorities totally bans socializing due to the clear evidence on the adverse effects of mingling,” Al-Asheikh stressed.
He added: “Funeral prayer for the dead should be performed at the cemetery. There shouldn’t be a large number of people. The rest can perform funeral prayer for the deceased, in their homes. If anyone wishes to perform funeral prayer for the dead, he can do so at home.”
