What is the ruling on performing prayers at home as Coronavirus infection is certain if people gather in a place?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Primarily, a male Muslim should perform prayers in the mosque in a congregation unless there is a considered excuse such as illness, fear or travelling.

Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council, was once asked about the precautions that Muslims must take because of Coronavirus pandemic. He answered:

Initially, we pray to Allah to reveal this pandemic which led to the closure of mosques and prevented Muslims from going there. As institutions and places of gatherings start to open gradually, and as nations will go back to their normal life soon, we have to be sure that safety precautions must be taken. One of which is keeping a distance between people in crowded places. It is not a matter which can be dealt with carelessly especially by those who go to mosques frequently. They must be careful as mosques such as Al-Aqsa Mosque are usually crowded. Muslims who want to go to Al-Aqsa Mosque which will open after Eid Al-Fitr must be responsible and apply all safety precautions to stay safe. Since these precautions will lessen the infection with Coronavirus, applying them becomes necessary and is considered a religious duty. The messenger of Allah says: “There should be no harming nor reciprocating harm.”

Thus, Muslims are asked to be committed to safety precautions to keep themselves and others safe. Allah praised those who save the lives of others, in contrast to those who seek for lives’ loss. He says: “Because of that, We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land- it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidence and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land.” Al-Ma’idah: 32

Finally, the Verdict House in their decision No. 1/183, which was taken on 17/7/1441 of the Hijri calendar which corresponds to 12/3/2020 of the Gregorian calendar, excuses Muslims not to go to mosques if they are certain that they will be infected or infect others.