Limiting Juma Congregational Prayers in the wake of Corona Virus

I am fifty eight years old and have rarely offered juma prayers without congregation but today I felt an unusual agony and helplessness to carry out this compulsory practice in home rather than in jamia masjid due to prevalent corona virus as per the instructions or fatwa issued by the government. The state of misery and distress cannot be explained in words but the possible rationale behind this position must be shared with the readers and fellow Muslims.

The subject has a sensitive connotation in context of prevalent environment. The importance of prayers in our religion and faith can never be questioned including juma prayers which have significant value. I do not intend to highlight the value of juma payers through these lines however I do aim to present the factors attributable to this sorry state of affairs which has engulfed Muslim Ummah.

Our society has deteriorated at an alarming state in which values and norms have been depreciated tremendously. We often talk and listen about the teachings of Quran and hadith of Holy prophet Muhammad PBUH but we are reluctant to implement their injunctions in our lives. I am fully cognizant of the fact that it is difficult to act on the instructions of Allah and Prophet Muhammad however we must make some efforts to improve our lives.

In this context the first step would be to review our behavior with our elders and youngsters. During one of the khutabah in Juma the imam sahib draw our attention towards unfair use of our tongue which is the root cause of unruly behavior and the rage emanated through this blessing of Allah.(Quran 49:11). There are numerous ahadiths on this issue

(Sahih bukhari Ch 78 hadith no 6131). Narrated Aisha: A man asked permission to see the Prophet. He said, “Let Him come in; what an evil man of the tribe he is! (Or, what an evil brother of the tribe he is). But when he entered, the Prophet spoke to him gently in a polite manner. I said to him, “O Allah’s Apostle! You have said what you have said, and then you spoke to him in a very gentle and polite manner? The Prophet said, “The worse people, in the sight of Allah are those whom the people leave (undisturbed) to save themselves from their dirty language.”

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The inmates of Hell are of five types….” And among them he mentioned “…the miser, the liar and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language.” (Muslim)

And while advising Mu’aadh, (RA), the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Restrain this,” i.e., your tongue. I (Mu’aadh) said Messenger of Allaah; will we be called to account for what we say? He said: “May your mother be bereft of you, O Mu’aadh! Will people be thrown in Hell on their faces or their noses for anything other than the harvest of their tongues?” (Al-Tirmidhi– Saheeh by al-Albaani)

May Allah guide and enable us to exercise the teachings of Quran and Prophet Muhammad PBUH. We cannot ensure our salvation without it.