The Fatwah Committee of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the direction of the President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, held a virtual meeting to deliberate on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to Ramadan.
The Committee which is headed by Shaykh Sharif Ibrahim Salih Al-Hussainiy held the meeting via Zoom and it deliberated “on Sharia prescriptions on the congregational Tarawih worship and the Tafsir session during Ramadan within the circumstances of the Coronavirus.”
According to the statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the committee, Shaykh Sharif Ibrahim Salih Al-Hussainiy and the Secretary, Dr. Abubakr Imam Ali-Agan, the Fatwah committee had a unanimous decision .
The resolution read in parts that: “Scholars of Islam throughout the world are unanimous that the Prophet of Islam warned against the spread of contagious diseases and urged Muslims to prevent the spread.
“The closure of the two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for both congregational worship and social functions, which is applauded by Islamic Scholars throughout the world, is a pointer to its compliance to the Prophetic teachings on the subject matter.
“Jum’ah, as an obligatory religious activity, which is temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 outweighs the performance of any meritorious religious act such as congregational Tarawih and the conduct of Tafsir.
“Consequently, the Committee advises the Ummah that congregational Tarawih in the Mosque and the various Majalis-Tafsir (session) during the month of Ramadan 1441AH be suspended.
“Individual Scholars and Organisations are encouraged to employ available means of disseminating information such as radio, television, print, social and traditional media for the conduct of Tafsir and other Da’awah activities.
“The Committee thanks His Eminence for His quality leadership,” the statement concluded.
Based on the recommendations of the Fatwah Committee, The Sultan of Sokoto has since encouraged Muslims to pray with their families at home.
