ISLAMABAD, 25 March 2020, TON: In an important development, Ulema from Rawalpindi and Lahore are not ready to accept that Ulemah from Egypt have issued any Fatwa regarding cancellation of Friday prayers and other congregational prayers at Mosques.  They said, “it is misleading statement, being attributed to have said by President Alvi that Islamic countries Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt have already suspended congregational prayers.”
It is important to mention here that Surat-e-Jumma Ayat No 9 and 10 orders. “O people who believe! When there is call for prayes (Azzan) on the day of Jumma  (Friday), then proceed to the remembrance of Almighty Allah and close trading. That is better for you, if you only knew. And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah in abundance so that you may succeed. It is added that the Preamble and Article 2A of the Constitution of Pakistan provides, “Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.”

As reported by APP President Dr Arif Alvi of Islamic Republic of Pakistan requested Al-Azhar Egypt, an authority on Islamic injunctions, permitting suspension of Friday prayers to control the spread of deadly coronavirus in the country. It has been claimed that Al-Azhar has issued a Fatwa on the request of President Alvi permitting suspension of Friday prayers.

Pakistani President said in a tweet on Wednesday, “I am thankful to Grand Imam Shaikh of Al Azhar and Supreme Council for responding to my personal request to provide guidance to us with regard to Farz Jamaat & Juma prayers in mosques during coronavirus attack.”
The president urged the Ulema in the country for urgent action on the Fatwa of Egypt’s Al-Azhar institution that termed it purely Islamic to cancel Friday prayers over coronavirus concerns.
The Fatwa stressed that public gatherings, including congregational prayers at mosques, could result in spread of coronavirus and the governments of Muslim countries had full jurisdiction to cancel such events. It also emphasized amending Azaan (call to prayer) with words ‘Salaat Fi Buyut-e-Kum’, meaning ‘pray in your homes’ instead of the usual ‘come to prayer.