Author(s): Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, Kipli Yassin, Mohd Hafiz Safiai, Mohd Helmy bin Mokhtar, Lenny Suryani Safri, Mohd Nasran Mohamad, Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Salleh
The COVID-19 pandemic that is still plaguing all over the world has affected the implementation of congregational prayers among Muslims. In Islam, prayers are encouraged to be performed in congregation and are rewarded by God. In fact, in Friday prayers it is obligatory for all Muslim men to perform this worship in congregation setting. The effects of the pandemic that caused people to maintain a social distancing from each other which lead to the implementation of prayers in congregation could not be carried out as usual. In fact, the implementation of Movement Control Orders (MCOS) by the government in almost all countries severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the government to pay attention to standards of procedures (SOPs) involving religious activities. This study aimed to discuss the barriers of congregational prayer and religious activities in worship’s house/mosque from the point of view of fiqh as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus. This study used a qualitative method, namely the method of literature review and document analysis. The results showed that, although religious activities in mosques could not be carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the worship’s house/mosques still functioned through the call to prayer. Even in Islamic countries, a proactive measure can be implemented by issuing relevant fatwas. This is because, the obstacle to performing congregational prayers in the mosque is a maslahah to save lives from the COVID-19 virus. Congregational prayers among Muslims are also can be done by performing in their respective homes.