From 12 March 2020 the Organization of Muslims in Hungary suspend for an undefined period (until withdrawal) in its institutions the Jumah (Friday) prayer, educational activities and all major community gatherings (that attended by more than 100 people).

Therefore the Organization of Muslims in Hungary ask all those who read this announcement to take all the necessary measures in this critical situation and follow the orders and recommendations of the Hungarian authorities in the territory of Hungary and also to stay away from the baseless rumours and unnecessary panic spreading in the social media.

The Organization of Muslims in Hungary ask all those who are ill – even if their symptoms are mild – to avoid community places in order to protect their own health and health of others. Prophet Muhammad said: „An ill one should not be taken to a healthy!” (al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Scholars of Islam said that a man may be excused for not praying Jumah or offering prayers in congregation because of rain that makes the cloths wet, or mud that causes annoyance or stains the clothes. It was narrated that ’Abdallah Ibn Abbas said to his muezzin on a rainy day: When you say ’I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’, do not say ’come to prayer’, rather say: ’pray in your houses’. It was as if the people found that strange, so he said: Are you surprised by that? One who is better than me did that. Jumah is obligatory, but I did not want to force you to walk in the mud and on slippery ground. (al-Bukhári, Muszlim)

Based on the above, it is a stronger excuse for not praying Jumah if there is a serious danger for human health. Scholars of Islam also connected the attendance of the Jumah prayer to health. Therefore an ill person suffering from pain should not attend the Jumah prayer.

We turn to Allah the Most High, to give recovery for the ill, and to give good health and save all the people from this trial!

Organization of Muslims in Hungary