Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Senior Scholars Council issued a ruling that coronavirus infected persons are forbidden from attending Friday prayer and congregation prayers at mosques.

The 24th extraordinary session of the council was held here on Wednesday to discuss the issue of whether it is permissible or not the non-attendance of Friday prayer and congregation prayers at mosques in a case of spread of epidemic or fear of its spread, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The council also ruled that if anyone is instructed by the concerned bodies to carry out procedures of quarantine, the person must adhere to these procedures and does not attend Friday prayer and congregation prayers at mosques.

In such cases, the person shall perform prayers at home or place of quarantine.

The scholars have also stated that if anyone is afraid of getting infected or harming others, it is permitted for him not to attend Friday prayer and congregation prayers.

“If a person does not attend Friday prayers in the above circumstances, he has to perform afternoon Dhuhr prayer with four Raka’h,” the Council said while urging all the faithful to abide by the instructions and regulations issued by the concerned bodies in this respect.