COVID 19 South Africa – Taraweeh Rulings


Q. How should Taraweeh Salaah be performed in Ramadaan with the lockdown restrictions in South Africa?

A. The performance of 20 Rakaats Taraweeh Salaah is an emphasised Sunnah (Sunnah Muakkadah) for both males and females during the month of Ramadaan.

Given the current circumstance of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in South Africa, men should perform Taraweeh Salaah in congregation at home, like other Salaah are currently performed, if possible.

Females may perform Taraweeh Salaah individually or may perform Taraweeh Salaah following the men at home.

Q. How many people are required to perform Taraweeh Salaah in congregation at home?

A. A minimum of two people are required to perform Taraweeh Salaah in congregation like other Salaah at home (excluding Jumuah).

Q. Who should lead the Taraweeh Salaah?

A. The general rules that apply as to who should serve as the Imaam in normal Salaah apply to Taraweeh Salaah as well, i.e. the person should be a mature (Baaligh) male, who knows how to perform Salaah properly and is able to recite the Quran correctly.

Q. What should be recited in the Taraweeh Salaah?

A. It is Sunnah for the entire Quran to be recited once in the Taraweeh Salaah. If there is a Hafiz or Huffaaz, who are residents in the home and are able to recite the entire Quran in the Taraweeh Salaah then this would be best. If this is not possible, then one may recite whatever Paras or Surahs one knows of the Quran. (Shaami 2/46)

Q. If a Hafiz is cannot manage to recite the Quraan on his own, what should be recited?

A. If a Hafiz cannot manage to recite the Quran on his own or makes numerous errors in recitation and there is no one at home who can correct him in Salaah, then he should only read that amount of the Quran that he can manage. It is better to read less of the Quran properly than to recite the entire Quran with serious errors.

Q. Can men and women follow the Imaam through live streaming via Radio etc. for normal Salaah, Taraweeh Salaah or Jumuah Salaah?

A. One of the primary conditions for the validity of Salaah is that there should not be a significant break in the rows (Saffs) of the followers and the Imaam. The Imaam and the followers must be in the same gathering/venue. Since, this is non-existent and not possible in the case of live streaming, the performance of Salaah in this way is not valid.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com

Subscribe