Hyderabad: Fatwa advises against mass gathering on Eid

Hyderabad: For the first time in history, the Eidgahs which are known to witness massive gatherings for prayers on Eid-u-fitr (likely to fall on May 25) would wear a deserted look all over the State.

In the wake of further extension of lockdown till the end of month in Telangana, the Muslim religious scholars are advising the community people to avoid mass gathering on Eid day this year and instead perform the holy prayer at their homes with only a few family members in compliance with the prohibitory orders.

The prominent clerics of Muslim community have issued fatwa 'religious order' advising people to perform Eid prayer in local mosques or in houses along with only family members as the lockdown is imposed to arrest the spread of corona virus.

"According to Hanafi school of thought, Eid prayers is a sunnah performed by Prophet Muhammed PBUH and preferably better to offer in eidgahs in a mass gathering, but due to imposition of lockdown and to maintain social distancing to arrest the spread of corona virus, it is advised to all the Muslims to avoid mass gathering at mosques and instead offer the same in their houses individually," said Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rahman, Secretary Muslim Personal Law Board and General Secretary Fiqha Academy.

Gathering of four to five Muslims, he said, is enough at local mosques to perform Eid prayer while other should do the same in their house. "As per the Islamic scholars, Muslims can perform 4 rakaat of "Chast ki Namaz" in case they have missed the yearly Eid prayers due to any emergency situation," he explained.

"As per the Shafaii school of thought, offering Eid prayer at a specific location together is Mustahab (Recommended) and performing the obligation at other than the mass gathering is considered Makru (abominable)." said Mufty Omer Bin Abubakkar Al-Mallahi Al Hussaini.

However, he said, "In the present situation wherein a pandemic like coronavirus is posing a grave threat to life, Muslims can perform Eid prayer at local Mosque or at their houses individually or together with 4 to 5 family members as mass gathering is not permissible under local laws."

As such, he said, "We advise Muslims to avoid mass gathering at specific locations and instead try to offer the same at local mosques, if permitted or at home with few family members."