In the name of Allah
The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful
Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Resolution No. 243 (5/25)
Sharia Ruling on Salat behind Telephone, Radio, and Television
The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holding its 25th session in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 29 Rajab – 3 Shaaban 1444H (20-23 February 2023),
Having examined the research papers submitted to the Academy concerning the Sharia Ruling on Salat behind Telephone, Radio, and Television,
Having noticed the numerous developments in videoconferencing and meeting technologies, and social media,
Having considered the special rulings brought by the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of the suspension of salat in Mosques, the physical distancing that rendered spaces in Mosques insufficient for worshipers, and sometimes even preventing people from leaving their homes,
Having listened to the discussions and deliberations of the Academy’s members and experts,
Resolves
First: From the conditions for the validity of salat with an imam is the union of space and time between the imam and the congregation either physically or in judgment, as well as the ability of the congregation to either see the imam or someone who can see the imam, and to hear takbeer proclaimed by the imam directly, even if only in some parts of salat.
Second: It is not permissible to perform salat following the voice or an image of an imam on the telephone, radio, or television, regardless of whether the worshipper led in prayer is near or far, due to the absence of physical connection between the imam and the followers, the lack of the aforementioned conditions for congregational salat; and also due to the numerous negative consequences this entails, such as neglecting to attend collective prayers in Mosques, weakening the community spirit and fraternal nature of salat, as well as neglecting Mosque presence, maintenance and construction, and thus weakening faith.
Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing.
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