Corruption of the Congregational Salat

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Covid-19 pandemic is one of those trials whose purpose is to throw light on the condition of the Muslims’ Faith. The result is shockingly disturbing. Mosques were immediately sealed worldwide, and where they did reopen, they did so under regulations that plainly violate the Sunnah and the spirit of Islamic worship. The original excuse given by the authorities who made this erroneous decision whose repercussions reverberated throughout the world is that because Covid-19 is a highly infectious contagion, it is imperative to prevent assemblies and encourage “social distancing” instead. But this facade was uncovered when permission was given for restoration of other routine activity outside the Mosque in which people congregate in large numbers. We saw crowds moving to and fro in the markets and shopping centers, riding public transportation, etc. It was said that it is essential activity in order for the wheels of the economy to keep turning, thereby implying that worship of Allah that is done in the Mosque is not essential (God forbid). This despite the fact that the Prophet (sall Allahu alaihi wasallam) said:

أَحَبُّ الْبِلاَدِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَسَاجِدُهَا وَأَبْغَضُ الْبِلاَدِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَسْوَاقُهَا

“The most beloved (places) of the land to Allah are its Mosques, and the most hated (places) of the land to Allah are its marketplaces.” (Sahih Muslim)

But in opposition to this guidance, we see the Muslims thronging to the open air markets and the shopping malls despite the fact that the pandemic hasn’t ended but continues to spread, whereas the Mosques are either completely or nearly deserted. Sayyidina Anas bin Malik (radi Allahu anhu) states that during the time of the Prophet (sall Allahu alaihi wasallam):

إِنْ كَانَتِ الرِّيحُ لَتَشْتَدُّ فَنُبَادِرُ الْمَسْجِدَ مَخَافَةَ الْقِيَامَةِ

“If the wind were to blow strongly, we would rush to the Mosque, fearing the Resurrection (had arrived)” (Sunan Abi Dawud #1196, isnaduhu hasan)

This is the first time in Muslim history mosques have been closed out of a wahm or a mere fear of the possibility of the outbreak of a disease. Before this, when there was actual danger of going to the Mosque, due to Kharijite and Takfiri terrorism and suicide bombings, even then the Mosque was not closed. Therefore, those evil and filthy men who made the decision to close the Mosque, and those of their pigs and dogs who enforced this decision, fall under the category described in this Ayah:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّـهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

And who are more unjust than those who prevent the Name of Allah from being mentioned in His Mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment

(Surah 2:114)

Now that the Mosques are gradually being reopened, another fitnah has surfaced. Our fake religious establishment, under pressure from the state or of their own prerogative, have altogether changed the form of our worship, the Second Pillar of Islam, which we received from Allah, through the Angel Gabriel, through the Prophet Muhammad (sall Allahu alaihi wasallam), through his Sahaba (radi Allahu anhu), and through the Believers thereafter generation to generation in an unbroken chain of mass transmission. So they have instituted the Satanic innovation of gaps of two feet, three feet, four feet, five feet, six feet, or even more, between the worshipers in the congregational Salat. To participate in such a “worship service” is not only invalid, it is a mockery of the congregational Salat. This evil corruption of our Religion is a serious matter in the sight of Allah. But let Him bear witness that I free myself from this evil, and do not participate in it out of zeal and jealousy for the Lord God, and for His Prophet Muhammad’s (sall Allahu alaihi wasallam) blessed Sunnah.