How does the hadith about missing three Jumuʿah's apply if masājid around me are closed?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, Jumuʿah prayer is compulsory on a sane and mature Muslim male who is a muqīm (not considered a Sharʿī traveler) and is free from those Sharʿī excuses which absolve one from the Jumuʿah congregation.

The Jumuʿah prayer has great importance and should not be missed without a valid Sharʿī excuse. There are many grave warnings mentioned in the Aḥādīth about one who leaves Jumuʿah prayer without a valid reason.

The Messenger of Allāh (Ṣallallāhu ʿAlayhi wa Sallam) said,

"لينتهين أقوام عن ودعهم الجمعات، أو ليختمن الله على قلوبهم، ثم ليكونن من الغافلين" – صحيح مسلم، الرقم: ٨٦٥

Translation: "People must cease from abandoning the Friday prayers, or Allāh will seal their hearts, and then they will be among the negligent."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many communities throughout the world have decided to shut down the masājid for safety precautions. Governments use quarantines to stop the spread of contagious diseases. It is compulsory upon all Muslims to abide by the rules of the lockdown that our respective governments have placed. One who is unable to perform Jumuʿah for three weeks in a row or more due to the restrictions set by the government does not fall under the warning in the ḥadīth.

In another ḥadīth, the Messenger of Allāh (Ṣallallāhu ʿAlayhi wa Sallam) said,

"من ترك الجمعة ثلاث مرات تهاونا بها طبع الله على قلبه" – سنن الترمذي، الرقم: ٥٠٠

Translation: "Whoever abandons Friday (prayer) three times, neglecting it, a seal will be placed over his heart."

This ḥadīth clearly shows that one who abandons Jumuʿah prayer due to neglect is the one who a seal will be placed on his heart, not the one who has a valid Sharʿī reason. One who is unable to perform the Jumuʿah prayer must pray the four rakʿah of Dhur prayer.

We advise you to contact your local Mufti's, and they will be able to advise you regarding the situation in your country/city.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abrar Habib

Student - Darul Iftaa

New York City, New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.