Eid prayers can be performed at homes, says UAE Fatwa Council

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Fatwa Council has stressed that Eid prayers constitute a confirmed Sunna and may be performed at home if necessary.

“Therefore, if relevant authorities deem it necessary to prohibit Eid prayers in mosques, the public should respect these instructions and perform their prayers at home,” it said.

The Council issued a statement during its third meeting in 2021.

During the meeting the Council issued many statements on several jurisprudential updates related to the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The council also stressed that taking the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine via injection in the daytime during the Holy Month of Ramadan will not violate fasting or affect its validity.

It further said that if individuals taking the vaccine suffer from fatigue, they should break their fast.

The council also urged the public to fully adhere to the preventive measures related to Tarawih prayers in mosques, most notably concerning wearing face masks and respecting social distancing, as well as to refrain from blocking roads by praying outside mosques, as this behaviour will expose people to risks and affect road users.

The council urged imams to reduce their prayer times and follow the guidance of the Prophet to relieve the people, as well as follow the precautionary measures announced by relevant authorities.

The council urged people, most notably the elderly and those with chronic diseases, to pray and perform Tarawih prayers at home, by conducting congregational prayers with their families or alone. The council encouraged those wishing to donate Iftar meals to follow the procedures declared by relevant authorities, by coordinating with official charity organisations.

“All segments of the community are obliged to follow the health and regulatory instructions issued by relevant national authorities, as well as follow all necessary procedures to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19),” said statement.

Council also said that it is strictly forbidden, according to Sharia, to violate these instructions.

It is also strictly forbidden, according to Sharia, for those infected with the virus to be present in public areas or go to prayers in mosques, whether Friday prayers, Eid prayers or Tarawih prayers, and they should quarantine themselves and commit to medical treatment provided by national health authorities.

The council urged everyone to co-operate with the government’s efforts by taking the vaccine on time and adhere to all precautionary and preventive measures announced by health authorities, affirming that not taking the vaccine if eligible will be deemed unlawful, as such behaviour can undermine people’s safety.