What is the ruling on performing the Friday Prayer as Dhuhr Prayer at home as mosques are closed because of Coronavirus infection and the Friday Prayer is performed in courtyards and it is too hot?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Referring to your questions, I would like to say that those who are allowed not to perform the Friday Prayer and allowed to perform it at home as Dhuhr are those who have excuses such as the traveler, the woman, or the boy who has not reached puberty. However, the Friday Prayer is an individual duty upon every sane, male, mature (who reaches puberty), and resident Muslim. It cannot be left unless one is excused. Thus, if the Friday prayer is performed in courtyards, it should be performed there by those who are not excused.

Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council says: “One of the Muslim’s duties is performing the Friday Prayer as long as the conditions are available (being sane, male and mature).

Allah says: “O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is better for you if you did but know.” Al-Jum’a: 9.

The prophet also says: “Whoever leaves the Friday Prayer three times continuously on account of slackness, Allah will place a seal over his heart.” Sunan An-Nasa’i

However, there are certain excuses if a Muslim has any of them, they are permitted not to perform the Friday Prayer and to perform it as Dhuhr Prayer. Some of them are travel, illness and fear. Ibn Abbas (RAA) narrated that the prophet said: “If anyone hears him who calls for prayer and is not prevented from joining the congregation by any excuse,” (he was asked, what were the excuses? He replied: illness or fear) the prayer he offers will not be accepted from him.” Sunan Abi Dawood”

To conclude, a Muslim is obligated to perform the Friday Prayer whether it is performed in mosques or courtyards as long as they are not excused.