GUIDANCE ON EID SALAH DURING LOCKDOWN

السالم عليكم ورحمة هللا وبركاته
We pray that you are all in the best of health and faith.
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and government guidelines, it will not be possible to perform Eid Salah in the mosques this Eid al-Fitr. Understandably, Muslims are wondering if there are any alternatives to performing Eid Salah in the mosque.
• Firstly, it is important to understand that Eid Salah is not wajib (compulsory) in the current situation. One would not be sinful for not performing Eid Salah.
• Secondly, as an alternative, it is encouraged to pray 2 or 4 rak’ats (which is preferable) of voluntary Salah (Salah al-Duha) individually at home, at any time between sunrise and zawal. This is based on the saying of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA): “Whoever misses the Eid prayer
should pray 4 rakahs” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, #5800). This is the dominant opinion of the Hanafi Madh’hab.
If someone decides to pray Eid Salah at home, it will be valid.
• Lastly, although gathering in the mosque isn’t possible, one should still give Sadaqah al-Fitr, and observe the remaining sunnahs of the day of Eid; (i) reciting the takbeer (ii) having a bath
(iii) using a miswak (iv) wearing your best clothes (v) applying perfume (vi) eating dates in the morning or something sweet.
It is very important that we continue to follow government guidelines on social distancing.
May Allah reward our efforts in the month of Ramadan, grant us a blessed Eid, and protect us at all times.

LATIFIAH ULAMA SOCIETY UK
Hafiz Allamah Abdul Jalil (President, Anjumane Al Islah UK)
Maulana Shehab Uddin (President, Latifiah Ulama Society UK)
Maulana Farid Ahmed Chowdhury (Secretary, Latifiah Ulama Society UK)
27 Ramadan 1441
20 May 2020