Shaykh Abdullaah Al-Khawlaani was asked,
Question :
“Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu O, our Shaikh. May Allah be good to you. It is found in some lands that people are making adhaan in the streets and after the ‘Isha prayer above their houses as a way to ward off this epidemic [i.e. the Corona virus]. Does this action have an origin in the legislation? May Allah reward you.”
Answer:
“Wa Alaykum us-Salam wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuhu
This is from ignorance. The adhaan has its well-known position [in the religion] based on evidence from the legislation. The adhaan is a communal obligation used to announce the entrance of the time for prayer. Some of the scholars have also permitted it be recited in the ear of the newborn and the likes. As for people performing the Adhaan in the streets or above their houses in order to ward off this epidemic, then this is from ignorance!
Just yesterday some people in the Arab countries performed what resembled a demonstration. What resembled a march! People gathering together and walking in the streets with Takbeer and likes. Such an action more closely resembles displeasure [with Allah and His decree] than it resembles humility towards Him. This is ignorance. This is not humility [before Allah] nor is supplication made like this. Such people should be treated kindly and taught what to do. It is necessary that they:
Be patient
Seek the reward of Allah
Have Imaan that what is decreed for them will occur
Repent to Allah, the Exalted
Increase in seeking refuge in Allah
Increase in the remembrance of Allah, Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, Tahlil, Takbeer, Hawqala (saying La huwa la wa la Quwatta ila billah), sending salutations on the Prophet (ﷺ)
Guard the remembrances which are specific for the morning and evening and when sleeping
Guard the obligatory prayers and likewise the Sunnah ar-Raatibah
Be keen on giving charity and supporting the poor and the needy
Have humility before Allah
Make dua especially in the times when it is answered and the likes of that from the righteous deeds
O my brothers, may Allah grant you success, write posts in every language about this matter. I have written a summarized article on performing Qunut [in regards to this epidemic illness] which will be published soon in Shaa Allah.
So I urge the students of knowledge of every land to write in every language on the correct stance in relation to this epidemic illness [i.e. the Coronavirus] and spread it through social media to the people, even if it be in a summarized manner such as this post, in order to teach them.
May Allah grant us all success towards all that is good.
Abu Muhammad al-Khawlaani, Makkah al-Mukarramah. Translated by Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan Abu Sulaymaan