بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

On 17th Sha’baan 1441 / April 10th 2020, the Grand Mufti, Shaykh Abdul Azeez Aal Ash-Shaykh said,

“In the Name of Allaah, and may Allaah send His Salaam, Salaat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah, and his followers and Ccompanions. As for what proceeds:

Oh my brothers, assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. There is no doubt that what has occurred is a calamity from the calamities, and Allaah, the Most High, says,

(مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ)

‘No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence.’ [Soorat Al-Hadeed (57): 22]

And He said,

(وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ)

‘And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.’ [Soorat Ash-Shoora: 30]

And He said,

(أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا ۖ قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ)

“(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: “From where does this come to us?” Say (to them), “It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds).” And Allah has power over all things.” [Soorat Aal-E-Imraan: 165]

This great calamity is a reminder for the people and a warning for them, and an awakening of their hearts from heedlessness towards their Lord, the Mighty and Most High, so that they may know with certainty that what they have with them of capability, intelligence, and their power over things [is limited]; they are not able to defend themselves from harm, and unable to bring themselves benefit. Their intellects have returned and understanding have fallen short to comprehend this type which cannot be seen except with a microscope, but along with that it is infiltrating and influential in every place. So Glorified and Exalted be al-Hakeem (the Most Wise) al-‘Aleem (the Most Knowledgeable), so that they may know,

(اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا)

“[T]hat Allah has power over all things, and that Allaah surrounds (comprehends) all things in (His) Knowledge.” [Soorat At-Talaaq: 12]

So when it becomes known that this is from Allaah’s Qadar (Decree), let them put their trust in Him, seek refuge in Him, ask Him for firmness and steadfastness upon the Truth, and to protect the Muslims from the evil of this epidemic. So, it is necessary for the Muslims to return to the Book of their Lord (i.e., the Qur’aan), and the Sunnah of their Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Surely we have heard the aadhaan and the muadhins in all the big European countries, and this proves that the world is convinced that mercy, affection and compassion are only in Islaam, which has come with many virtues and an encouragement to be patient in the face of calamities, seeking reward thereby. The Muslim will be reckoned for his being patient upon his calamity, as it comes in the hadeeth,

“How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything. If adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently, and if prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allaah”.

This is specific to the believer; being thankful with good and patient with adversity.

Oh my brothers, if big gatherings may cause the virus to spread, then this is a critical issue. The funeral prayer is prayed over in the burial ground by some of the close relatives, and thereby the communal obligation is fulfilled. As for the rest, they can pray for their deceased in their homes salaatul ghaaib (i.e., the absent prayer), and I hope for good in Shaa Allaah.”

Translated by

Zain Syed Irfan
Abu Abdil-Baari