السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Tuesday 9th June 2020. Today I wanted to talk about the ‘Reopening of Our Masjids‘, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
Monday 23rd March 2020 was an unprecedented day during this extraordinary coronavirus pandemic, a sad day. Never in the history of the UK did Masjids ever have to close their doors. However, it was for our benefit. The advice from the government was to protect ourselves and the rest of humanity, and also not to overburden our precious NHS.
Our beautiful religion teaches us how to handle such situations as pandemics, and what procedures to follow, مَا شَآءَ الله. Muslims from across the country adhered to government guidelines and did their utmost to ensure no lives were put at risk. Responding to the changing situation, these guidelines are now gearing toward returning to some normality, albeit a new normal.
The process of reopening our Masjids is not going to be easy at all. I would like to take this opportunity to make a very humble request to all Muslims across England to strictly adhere to all the rules and regulations that will be set out by their Masjid management committees. Although everyone would like to attend the Masjid at the first opportunity, it is not going to be possible.
It will be a slow, gradual procedure, for which it is absolutely essential that each and every one of us play our part in making it a success, by respecting and following these rules, even if they don’t appear to make sense.
Look upon it as an ideal opportunity for us to show our beautiful Islamic character, by giving priority to others above ourselves. If we all follow the beautiful teachings of our religion, our safe return to Masjids will become very easy for us, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
A complementary message which I sent out earlier today requesting Masjid management committees to start preparing their Masjids for opening as soon as the government allows, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّله, accompanies this post.
Almighty Allāh make this process of reopening the Masjids as easy as possible for us and give us all the guidance to do what is in the best interest of all, Āmeen.
Please share both messages far and wide.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for DuꜤās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Hope all are well. A very humble request to management committees of all Masjids in England to start preparing to open Masjids from Monday 15th June, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
Guidelines have been circulated widely regarding what needs to be in place, so that we are following the law of the land and adhering to Public Health England advice. Once the government announces that places of worship can open, Monday 15th June will be a very sad day if management committees decide not to allow access to our Masjids
Whether it is for individual worship or otherwise, these Houses of Allāh need to be frequented by worshippers who can beseech their Lord for assistance and guidance during this unprecedented pandemic. We have been praying at home for the last 10 weeks and this will continue, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
However, the Masjids are the Houses of Allāh, and as the lockdown is easing and this pandemic abating, it is the ideal time to make our Creator happy. When the government asked us to close down our Masjids, we did. Now that the government is planning to allow us to open our Masjids, we are in two minds. How come? Why?
Remember, these Masjids may be witnesses against us on the Day of Judgement. They will say to Almighty Allāh ‘They went to supermarkets and shops. They went to open markets and car showrooms. They went back to work and sent their children to school. Alas, I was the only place they left deserted‘.
It is appreciated that there are lots of challenges and risks, but these can be managed, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ. If it isn’t possible or feasible to permit access like before, consider opening for restricted periods, e.g. 2pm to 7pm. Let individuals come and worship their Lord. DO NOT stop them.
By all means exercise control, and follow guidelines to the dot. But, and it is a very big BUT, if the government allows, then please make sure your Masjid is open on Monday 15th June, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for DuꜤās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
Blackburn (UK)