Watch: How to offer Eid namaz at home, explains Mufti Ahmad
As Muslims get ready to celebrate Eid amid pandemic restrictions for the second year in a row many may offer namaz at home for safety reasons.
THEOKHLATIMES NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. DONATE RS 100, 500, 1K OR MORE TO SUSTAIN LOCAL REPORTING: JUST CLICK TO PAY
Muslim clerics have urged people to act in accordance with the present times and observe a private Eid this year.
“Over four lakh people have been infected with the virus and almost 3,000 people are dying per day. There are no beds, medicines and the appropriate amount of vaccine in the hospital. I appealed to the community to offer prayers of Eid at home,” said Shahi Imam Bukhari.
Darul Uloom Deoband has also issued a fatwa asking people to ditch congregational Eid prayer in mosques this year. Earlier, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had also appealed Muslims to avoid big gatherings on Eid.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s Shariah Council also issued guidelines, asking Muslims how to spend last days of Ramazan and how to offer Eid prayer.
Shariah Council of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has issued the guidelines for Muslims related to the last days of the holy month of Ramazan and the Eid prayer amid the partial or total lockdown across the country in the wake of the second wave of corona virus.
Sharia Council’s Secretary Maulana Raziul Islam Nadvi today issued the guidelines following the start of the last 10 days of Ramazan, asking Muslims what routine they should follow in these days and how to offer Eid-al-Fitr prayers.
In a statement, the Shariah Council, noted: “One of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramazan can be Laylatul Qadar. Therefore, acts of worship (praying namaz, recitation of the Qur’an, Azkaar, Dua etc.) should be performed during the period. It is not right to consider only the 27th night of Ramadan as the ‘Laylatul Qadar’. It is not necessary to gather in mosques for it. In fact, it is inappropriate to do so in the present circumstances. Worship Allah individually, repent and seek forgiveness. Please pray for deliverance from the corona pandemic.”
It said: “The last Friday of Ramazan (Jumatul Wida) is like any other Friday. It has no special virtue. In the current situation, the government regulations regarding the performance of prayers in mosques should be adhered to. Wherever there is permission by the local authorities to offer congregational prayers, one should pray as usual using masks and maintaining social distance. Where there is no permission, if there are four people in the house, they can offer Friday or Zohar (midday) prayers in congregation. If less than that, offer Zohar prayers individually.”
The Shariah Council advised the Muslims to avoid crowding the bazaars for shopping in the last days of Ramazan. “On the day of Eid, new or old clean clothes, whatever is available, should be adorned and one should express gratefulness to Allah,” it added.
The Council has asserted that one of the most important acts of Ramazan is the payment of Sadaqah-al-Fitr (charity must be paid among poor before Eid prayer). It is obligatory on every Muslim to pay it in the last days of Ramazan on behalf of himself/herself and all the members of the household. Its quantum can be calculated in terms of dates, raisins, paneer and barley and is one ‘Saa’ that is 3.5 KG per person. If it is calculated in terms of wheat, then it is half ‘Saa’, that is 1.75 KG. Its value in terms of money can also be calculated and in terms of wheat, it comes to about Rs 50/- per person. The amount, Rs 50/- per person, can be increased based on a person’s financial status.”
As per the Shariah Council’s guidelines, the Eid ul Fitr prayer should be offered in Eidgahs, Jama Masjids and the local masjids, depending on how many numbers of people are permitted under the present circumstances. The guidelines added, “during this time, masks should be used as a precautionary measure and social distancing should be maintained. The shaking of hands and hugging after Eid prayers is not mandatory. If there are four people in a house then they can offer two Rakat of Eid ul Fitr prayer at home with extra ‘Takbeerat’.
The ‘Khutbah’ (sermon) may be given after the prayer, but it is not compulsory. If four people are not there, then four Rakat nafil prayer should be offered individually.”
The Shariah Council instructed the Muslims to avoid going here and there for meeting and greeting people on the day of Eid. It added: “Please remember the poor, the needy on the day of Eid along with Muslim prisoners and their relatives. In the joys of Eid, care should be taken of the poor and needy, especially Muslim prisoners in jails and their distressed families.”
