No agreement on Fatwa of Al-Azhar University: Mufti Muneeb

The fatwa states that all evidence indicates that public gatherings are helping spread the virus

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Speaking to program “Nuqta-e-Nazar” of Dunya News, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman said that the meeting of Council of Islamic Ideology could not arrive on an agreement on the Fatwa given by Al-Azhar University.

He claimed that President Arif Alvi and Minister of Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri have also agreed with the decision to keep mosques open and hold daily and Friday congregational prayers.

He said that medical experts including Dr Abdul bari, Dr Faisal Mehmood, Dr Hanif Kamal and Dr Zeeshan were part of the meeting and took part in the day’s discussion. He added that President Alvi agreed to their 13-point declaration of the meeting.

Mufti Muneeb also said that worshippers should use protective masks during prayers and people should repent and pray for forgiveness.

Earlier, Ulema of Al Azhar University responded to President of Pakistan Arif Alvi’s personal request and stopped mandatory congregational prayers and Friday prayer in mosques to protect human lives.

According to details, President Arif Alvi requested Grand Imam Shaikh of Al Azhar via Egyptian ambassador in Islamabad to provide guidance to people of Pakistan with regard to mandatory congregational prayers and Friday prayer in mosques during coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.

In this regard, the Supreme Council of the scholars of the University of Al-Azhar has issued a formal fatwa and banned the congregational and Friday prayers, keeping in view the great purpose of protecting human life.

The fatwa states that all evidence clearly indicates that public gatherings, including congregational prayers, are leading to the spread of the coronavirus, so government officials in Muslim countries have the authority to stop congregational and Friday prayers.

In view of the situation in this regard, the families can arrange congregational prayers in their homes. Fatwa further states that it is mandatory for all Muslims to follow orders of state authorities regarding medical precautions, especially in the event of a crisis, and not believe in information and rumors from unofficial sources. The fatwa states that coronavirus spreads easily and rapidly and saving human lives from all dangers is one of the great aims of Islamic law.