Jamia Nizamia issues fatwa on Id prayers

At least one person in an area should do Itikaf in each mosque, says fatwa

● THE FATWA contended that doing Itikaf during Ramzan is a Sunnat-emuakkada Kifaya. This means that if one person living in a particular area in which a masjid is situated performs Itikaf, then the Sunnah is fulfilled on behalf of all the members of that area. ● FOR MEN, Itikaf should be in a mosque but for women, the place where she normally prays Namaz is acceptable to perform Itikaf.

The Jamia Nizamia has issued a fatwa on Itikaf (spiritual seclusion) and Idul-Fitr prayers in view of the lockdown. It suggests that at least one person in an area should do Itikaf in each mosque as performing this ritual at home is not permissible, the fatwa said.

One of the standout rituals of the last 10 days of Ramzan is the Sunnah of Itikaf. Itikaf is an Islamic practice of secluding oneself in a mosque for continual prayer during the month of Ramzan. It starts from the night of 21st Ramzan till the sighting of the Id moon.

The fatwa issued with the signature of Jamia Nizamia Chief Mufti

Moulana Mufti Mohammed Azeemuddin says there must be at least a few people in every community who perform Itikaf it in every masjid every year to keep the tradition alive. For men, Itikaf should be in a mosque but for women, the place where she normally prays Namaz is acceptable to perform Itikaf.

The fatwa contended that doing Itikaf during Ramzan is a Sunnat-emuakkada Kifaya. This means that if one person living in a particular area in which a masjid is situated performs Itikaf, then the Sunnah is fulfilled on behalf of all the members of that area. However, if nobody performs the Itikaf, then all the members of the area will be liable for not doing so.

As there is no prohibition in staying in mosques, if one faithful is secluded in a mosque, then the Sunnah need not be performed by other Muslims. However, the men can’t do Itikaf at home.

The fatwa says the congregation of Id prayer is one of the signs of Islam. For saying an Id prayer it is necessary to have a congregation and this condition will not be fulfilled if the prayer is performed at home. Hence, if it is possible to arrange Id prayers with this condition – that one person from each area performs the Id prayer in a neighbourhood mosque – then the Id prayer is deemed to have been performed, otherwise they should pray two rakats of thanksgiving at home. Jamia Nizamia Moulana Mufti Mohammed Azeemuddin says there must be at least few people in every community who should do it in every Masjid every year to keep this tradition alive. Men should do Itikaf in the Masjid where five times prayers are observed. For men, Itikaf should be in a mosque but for women, the place where she normally prays Namaz is acceptable to perform Itikaf.

The fatwa contended that doing Itikaf in the holy month of Ramzan is a Sunnat e muakkada Kifaya. This means that if one person, who lives in a particular area in which a Masjid is situated, performs Itikaf, then in such an event the Sunnah is fulfilled on behalf of all the members of that area. However, if nobody in the entire area performs Itikaf, then all the members of the area will be liable for the sin of failing to fulfill a Sunnah. As there is no prohibition in staying in mosques, therefore if one faithful is secluding in each mosque, then this Sunnah will lapse from other Muslims. However, the men can't do Itikaf at homes.

The fatwa says the congregation of Eid prayer is one of the signs of Islam. For saying an Eid prayer there is a need of the congregation and this condition would not fulfill while performing at homes. Therefore, saying of Eid prayer at homes is not correct. There is no substitute of the Eid prayer.

Hence, if it is possible to arrange Eid prayers with these conditions people may perform Eid prayers otherwise they should pray two rakats of thanksgiving at homes.