The Ruling on Praying While Wearing a Face Mask and Gloves?

[Q.1]: What is the ruling on praying wearing a face mask and gloves while in a place where one fears contracting the virus?

[A.1]: There is no objection in doing so.

The Ruling on Leaving Gaps Between Those Praying out of Fear of Contracting [the Virus]

[Q.2]: We work in a clinic and we pray in congregation in one row, and there is a one meter gap (3.2 ft) between each person, and the Imām is in front of us. Is prayer in this fashion correct?

[A.2]: There is no problem [in praying] like that.

How Does the One who Finds Difficulty in Performing Ablution because of the Coronavirus Pray?

[Q.3]: Some who are afflicted with the coronavirus cannot perform wuḍūʿ (ablution), but are able to perform tayammum (dry ablution). However, they fear that the dirt will get inside the ventilator and thus lead to their demise, so what is their ruling as it relates to purification?

[A.3]: If performing tayammum will prove harmful for them, then they pray in the condition that they are in.

The Ruling on Tayammum for Medical/Health Professionals

[Q.4]: Is it permissible for those who work with patients afflicted by the Coronavirus and cannot remove their protective coverall suits, to perform tayammum?

[A.4]: If they cannot remove their coveralls or they may sustain harm if they remove them, then they should pray in the condition they are in.

Delaying the Prayer Outside of Iits Prescribed Time in Order to Save a Patient

[Q.5]: The medical/health professional who works in extremely dire circumstances and cannot perform the prayer in its prescribed time and is busy with trying to save a patient from death, up until the time for prayer goes out. [What is his/her ruling]?

[A.5]: They should pray as soon as they are able to, even if it is after the time goes out.

The Prayer of the Sick Who Is Unable to Perform Wuḍūʿ When the Time of the Obligatory Prayer Reaches Him

[Q.6]: If the one sick with the Coronavirus is not in the state of purification and he is in an area where there are no restrooms and the time for the prayer reaches him and he will sustain harm if he moves from his place; how should he perform wuḍūʿ and pray?

[A.6]: He should pray according to his current condition. If he is able to purify himself using water, it is a must that he does so. If he is unable, he performs tayammum. If he cannot perform wuḍūʿ nor tayammum, he prays according to his condition.

The Medical/Health Professional Having Feelings of Inefficacy

[Q.7]: When a person who is sick with the Coronavirus arrives in a very dire state, the medical professional must [first] put on protective coveralls, which causes a delay of a few minutes to begin treating [the sick], thus causing some medical professionals to have feelings of inefficacy, so are they sinful because of this [delay]?

[A.7]: There is no sin in this.

Having Patience and Seeking [Allāh’s] Reward by Treating Coronavirus Patients

[Q.8]: Some doctors and health professionals are at risk of contracting [the Coronavirus] when treating patients. Could you provide them with some words of advice and encouragement?

[A.8]: Upon them is to remain patient and seek out the reward with Allāh as it relates to their job. In doing [their job] they benefit their sick brothers [and sisters].

The Ruling on Nnot Visiting Oone’s Parents Oout of Fear of the Coronavirus

[Q.9]: If the medical/health professional who mixes with Coronavirus patients leaves off visiting his parents out of fear of spreading the disease to them, is that considered being undutiful [to them]?

[A.9]: What was mentioned is not considered being undutiful [to them].

The Permanent Committee for Knowledge Based Verdicts

President
ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdullāh Ibn Muḥammad Āl al-Shaykh

Member
Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān al Fawzān

Member
Muḥammad Ibn Ḥasan Āl al-Shaykh

Member
ʿAbd al-Salām Ibn ʿAbdullāh al-Sulaymān

Translation by Abū Suhayl Anwar Wright