Symposium: Scholars and Imams discuss Ramadan during coronavirus pandemic

The Islamic Council of Europe, having been inundated with questions in relation to Ramadan during the Coronavirus pandemic, held an emergency online symposium to discuss solutions for the Muslim community.

The online symposium, which discussed and agreed Ramadan guidelines in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, comes at a very crucial time considering our unprecedented times.

The symposium was well attended, with over 35 scholars from various backgrounds participating to discuss matters relating to praying Tarawīh at home, fasting for frontline NHS workers, and burials for COVID-19-related deaths.

The deadly coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China in December, but is now prevalent in 210 countries and territories around the world as well as 2 international conveyances.

At the time of writing, there are over 3 million registered coronavirus cases worldwide, with more than 213,000 deaths.[1]

Indeed we belong to Allāh, and to Him we shall return. We ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to keep us all safe, healthy, and able to take this opportunity to turn back to Him, seeking forgiveness.

May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) cure our sick, protect our elderly, and accept those that have returned to him after having the coronavirus as martyrs, āmīn.

It is also important to note that over 938,000 people have recovered so far from the deadly virus, alhamdulillāh

Symposium Main conclusions

1. Tarawīh should not be prayed virtually. Instead, one should recite whatever Qur’ān they know from memory or from a mushaf
2. Fasting for frontline NHS workers: no blanket policy. Instead, NHS workers’ concerns can be addressed on a case-by-case basis in discussion with local scholars and imams
3. Burials for COVID-19-related deaths: Where ghusl is not possible due to extenuating circumstances, the scholars permitted Tayammum over the deceased body.
4. If there is a conflict between hastening the burial without ghusl and delaying the burial with ghusl, the scholars present were in majority agreement that due to current circumstances and limited availability of ghusl facilities, that hastening with burial with Tayammum is the preferred option.
5. The scholars also made special mention that the wishes of family members should be taken into account ahead of final decisions.

In addition to the above discussions, C.A.L.M. (COVID-19 adviceline for Muslims) was announced – a new national helpline to provide a service for Muslims to seek advice, guidance, and solutions during these testing times.

May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) reward all those that participated, make the gathering a source of benefit for the Umma,h and make it the first of many symposiums to come.

Scholars present

1. Chair of symposium: Shaqur Rehman, Islamic Council of Europe
2. Haitham Al-Haddad, Islamic Council of Europe
3. Amjad MOHAMMAD, WIFAQUL ULAMĀ
4. S.M. Abdul Qayum, East London Mosque
5. Mustafa Hussein, Green Lane Masjid
6. Inaam Malik, Croydon Mosque
7. Imtiyaz Damiel, Abu Hanifah Foundation
8. Farid Haibatan, MRDF
9. Mohamed Ali Mohamed, Al-Furqan Mosque
10. Wasim Kempson, The Wise Muslim
11. Khidir Hussain, Masjid Ayesha
12. Mu’aawiyah Tucker, alMadaar
13. Ahmad Barouni, SAIS
14. Akhter Raouf, AL-NOOR
15. Muhammad Ahmad, Shadwell Islamic Centre
16. AbdulBasir, Poplar Mosque & Community Center
17. Fuad Abdo, Al Ansar IEC
18. Refi Shafi, WISE
19. Mohammad Athar, Al-Huda Welfare Foundation UK
20. Mohammad Zaheer
21. Sanel Haskic, Apex Primary School
22. Ibrahim Hourani, Halalcheck 4u
23. Sajid Patel
24. Mohamed Ed Denguir, Masjid Tayba
25. Zahed Fettah, Ibn Rushd Centre of Excellence for Islamic Research
26. Khalil Laher, Misbaah Academy
27. Abdul Jamil
28. Yaser Saleh, Norbury Muslim Centre
29. Sohal Gachi, Al Ansar IEC
30. Jahangir Hussain, Newbury Park Masjid
31. Ebrahim Walele, Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society
32. Musab Panjwani
33. Mirazam Khan, UKIM
34. Mohamed Ismail Abdul Manaff, Albayaan Arabic Foundation
35. Mohammed Irfan, Al Ansar IEC
36. Hilal Patel
37. Chakil Omarjee, Institut NADWI

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Source: www.islam21c.com

Notes:

[1] https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/