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As part of the ongoing Covid-19 Prevention and containment, Birmingham Council of Mosques (BCM) has released a statement of recommendation according to Governmental guidelines:

Asalamu Alaykum

BCM PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

CALL FOR THE SUSPENSION OF PRAYERS AND JUM-AH SALAH

The Ummah is facing an unprecedented challenge, and we are in this together InshAllah.

The Imaan and health/safety of our members have always been Birmingham Council of Mosques (BCM) priority. We are writing to let you know how the unfolding Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation will affect The Masajids.

We can not tell who is afflicted from the Coronavirus, apparently it does not show any symptoms for many days. We are aware of the the transmission and that it is not treatable and can be fatal.
An infected person can infect multiple people before they start to show any signs of infection and become it becomes neccessary to self isolate. By this time they have been in contact with many people and possibly infected many individuals. You will be aware of the growing number of infected in Birmingham and number of deaths. *We have an onus of responsibility to our congregations and the community InshAllah. Allah swt keep us safe.*

The local authority has adviced us not to congregate, this allows the spread of the virus. We must act on the side of caution before it is too far spread.

We are facing very difficult trials and decisions, May Allah swt make it easy. BCM has made much effort to provide accurate and practical information regarding the spread of Coronavirus and how we can implement preventative measures in our Masajids and how to identify infection and effectively self isolate to control it spreading.

We are now aware the spread has become critical. *The responsibility we have is to consider the suspension of Jummah and Congregational prayers effective immediately.*

Tensions are running high as nobody wants to be in this situation, However Shariah rulings requests we think rationally and not emotionally. We know it is Fard kifaya/ Fard’ Ain to be reading 5 prayers in the Masjid and to read Jumah unless we have a valid reason of exclusion. However, there are exceptional circumstances, for example, plague.
During the life of Our Beloved Prophet (saw), A delegation travelled to The Beloved Prophet (saw) to offer Oath of Allegiance. One of the members was stricken with leprosy. The Prophet (saw) Adviced that he took Allegiance en-route and turn back.

In another Hadith The Holy Prophet (saw) said, Sick animals should not be brought to drink water at the same time as healthy animals. The Scholars concluded from this
the importance of maintaining the health of the community as being essential.

We Beg Allah swt for His Refuge from this….
A person was infected with a head wound. “I heard Ibn ‘Abbas saying that a man was injured in the head at the time of the Messenger of Allah (saw), then he had a wet dream. He was told to have a bath, so he took the bath, and died. News of that reached the Messenger of Allah (saw) and he said: “They have killed him, may Allah kill them! Is not the sure for a lack of knowledge to ask questions?’” ‘Ata’ said: “We heard that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘If only he had washed his body and left his head alone where the wound was.’” (Sahih). There was exception to his circumstance. He did not have to bath because of his wound).

We are being adviced to avoid congregational gatherings, to keep a distance of more than 6ft from one another to prevent and contain the virus.
We all feel a massive loss from not being able to attend the Masjid and we would ask for calm and rational thought.
We have to look at the verdicts of Shariah….We thank Allah swt has made this Deen an ease for us, and Gave us Mercy through His Beloved Messengers example.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “The earth has been made for me a place of worship and a means of purification.”
At this time it is crucial our Ibaadah, Our Duas, Our tears increase and We Beg Allah swt for Sabbar and Aaafia and Seek Refuge in Allah swt Ameen.

Your local Masjids will inform you of their decisions in due course InshAllah. This decision is a heavy burden on the hearts of The Ummah…Allah swt Help us through this difficult trial. Ameen

JazakAllah Khayran