Congregational prayers

The key to stopping the spread of coronavirus is social distancing. Yet not many are unwilling to pay heed, especially when it comes to congregating in mosques for prayers. Part of the problem seems to be lack of proper guidance. It has now come from a widely recognized authority on Islamic teachings, Jamia Al-Azhar of Egypt, in response to President Arif Alvi's query regarding "farz jamaat and Juma prayers in mosques" in times such as this. The fatwa issued by Al-Azhar states that "in view of risks to the lives of people, officials in Muslim countries have full authority to cancel Friday prayers and other congregational prayers." It is obligatory for Muslims to abide by the health instructions of the state in case of a crisis, and avoid following rumours and unofficial information. And that the azaan may be amended for the time being to insert the words "Salaat fi buyut-e kum [pray in your homes] in place of "come to prayer". This derives inspiration from the time the Holy Prophet (PBUH) told the faithful during a natural calamity to say their payers at home. Many other Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Iran, and Algeria have already started doing that.
But there is no movement in that direction here. A delegation of prominent ulema from different schools of religious thought who participated in the conference convened by the president of the republic, who is also the symbol of unity of the federation, via skype with attendees present in the presidency in Islamabad, Governor houses in the four provincial capitals, presidency in AJK and office of the head of GB, to discuss the issue were of little help. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, they were of the opinion that if the authorities wanted they could restrict the number of people for regular prayers in the mosques. And the duration of Friday prayers and sermons could also be shortened. Mufti Munibur Rehman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee read out the text of a joint resolution, saying among other things: "this meeting of ulema strongly believes that the mosques should remain open so the prayers continue by the believers seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness." As for the suggestion that the government could restrict the number of people in mosques, it merits the questions, who will determine that number, and how? And shortening the duration of Friday prayers and sermon will still expose people to the danger of catching coronavirus infection. That is why in the Muslim countries mentioned earlier, mosques remain open to give the call to prayers, but the faithful say their prayers at home to stay safe and keep others safe from the virus.
The government obviously wants to follow what most other Muslim countries are doing to minimize spread of the contagion. Despite having obtained religious decree from Jamia Al-Azhar, it may not feel confident enough to take that step, religious issues being supersensitive in this country. The situation demands that the Council of Islamic Ideology step forward to remove - in the light of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) - any confusion regarding mosque congregations.