Our Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy- may Allah preserve him- was asked the following question on 16th Sha’ban (9th April 2020):
The Questioner says : Do you advise the muathin to perform the athaan and then go and pray in his house, or to establish the congregational prayer in an open area (outside the closed masjid)?
Answer:
If he prays in his home he is not to be condemned, for indeed the state has certainly ordered this. Sufficient for us is Allah (alone) and an excellent disposer of affairs.
If he prays inside the masjid; I myself, will not condemn anyone that prays inside the masjid.
If he prays inside the masjid; I will not condemn anyone.
The most important thing is that he can be patient and bare anything that happens to him (as a result). If the State prevents him by force; then we advise him to stop and not create or bring upon himself any trouble.
Alhamdulilah, speech has certainly preceded regarding the fact that the reward of the congregational prayer will be written for us in sha Allah. [1]
So there is need for trouble or alterations.
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[1] [إِذَا مَرِضَ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ سَافَرَ، كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مُقِيمًا صَحِيحًا “.]
[If the slave becomes sick or travels; written for him is the like of what he used to do as a resident (i.e. non-traveller) and healthy.]
Narrated by Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) in AlBukhaari (2996)
[ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى طَرِيقَةٍ حَسَنَةٍ مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ، ثُمَّ مَرِضَ قِيلَ لِلْمَلَكِ الْمُوَكَّلِ بِهِ : اكْتُبْ لَهُ مِثْلَ عَمَلِهِ إِذَا كَانَ طَلِيقًا، حَتَّى أُطْلِقَهُ، أَوْ أَكْفِتَهُ إِلَيَّ ]
[Indeed, the slave, if he is on a good course of worship and then becomes a sick, it is said to his assigned angel: “write for him the like of his actions when he was free (i.e. healthy) until I free him (i.e. from his illness) or I recall him back to me.]
Narrated by Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) in Ahmad (6895). Graded Saheeh Shayk Al-AlBaanee (may Allah have mercy upon him)
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Translated by: Abu Sufyaan Saami ibn Daniel Al-Ghaani