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Fatwā concerning the legality, based on their interpretation of Islamic law, of a) the responsibility of mosque officials to prevent unwell congregants from entering a mosque’s premises and b) the temporary suspension of congregational and Friday prayers, and subsequent mosque closures. The answer provided by the Fatwa Committee, who met on 18 February 2020, is that a) mosques’ management has the religious duty to request or prohibit any unwell congregants from entering the mosque area, whether for performing prayers or other matters and the closing of a mosque and b) the suspension of congregational prayers and Friday prayers during this situation, is required.

Statement regarding the global coronavirus pandemic. The recommendation of the National Muslim Task Force, dated 18 March 2020, to mosques, community centers, schools, and other public centers, is that all non-essential gatherings be suspended immediately until further notice.  

Fatwā concerning the legality, based on their interpretation of Islamic law, of fulfilling the Friday prayer (Jumuʿa) at home, instead of at a mosque (masjid) or public prayer venue. The answer provided by the Mufti of Australia and The Australian Fatwa Council, dated 18 March 2020, is that their interpretation of Islamic law permits for a Muslim, in the event of a pandemic that threatens one’s life, such as COVID-19, which is spread through close social interaction, to not have to attend the daily congregational prayers and Friday prayer.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made the decision, dated 22 June 2020, to impose strict limitations on this year’s Hajj (1441H/2020AD) in light of the continued risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than cancelling the event altogether, these limitations will only allow Saudi pilgrims and those from other countries already inside the Kingdom to partake in this year’s Hajj.

Fatwā concerning the legality, based on their interpretation of Islamic law, of fasting in the month of Ramadan, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The answer provided by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on 19 April 2020 is that individuals must fast during Ramadan, unless an individual has a reason to believe that fasting will 1) cause an illness, 2) intensify an illness, 3) prolong an illness, or delay one’s recuperation. 

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made the decision, dated 6 June 2022, to assume full control over Ḥajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage in commemoration of the rites of Abraham, his wife Hagar, and the would-be sacrifice of their son Ishmael. They issued the decision only weeks before Ḥajj season, to require pilgrims from Europe, America, and Australia for this year’s Ḥajj (1443H/2022AD) to petition individually rather than in groups via a new lottery system and to use their portal exclusively, rather than arrange their trips through the local groups that ordinarily lead, educate, and organize tours for Muslims in the West. The Saudi portal is meant to enable visa processing and monitor COVID-19 protocols.