Advisory on congregational prayers at mosques during severe haze conditions

Introduction

1. Should the haze situation worsen and reach unhealthy levels, it is important to give due consideration to the adverse impact on the health of worshippers, especially those who are more vulnerable to the effects of haze. In view of this, the Office of the Mufti has issued this advisory.

Islam allows concession in times of hardship and difficulty

2. Islam is a religion of ease which protects the well-being and welfare of humankind, and does not burden its followers beyond what they can bear. The protection of life and health is among the higher objectives of the Syariah. Accordingly, any act that can cause harm because of extenuating circumstances, such as going to the mosque in a situation of extreme haze for someone with respiratory conditions, is subject to concessions in the Syariah. Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185:

يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ     

Which means: “Allah intends for you ease and He does not want difficulty to afflict you."

Allah s.w.t. also says in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 78:

وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ

Which means: “And He has not imposed hardship upon you in religion.”

Vulnerable groups are excused from attending all forms of congregational prayers at mosques

3. In accordance with these principles, those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, heart disease and other chronic respiratory or cardiac illnesses, are not obliged to attend congregational prayers or Friday prayer at mosques when the haze reaches the hazardous range. They are highly encouraged to perform their prayers at home instead¹. Those who are unable to attend Friday prayer must substitute it with Zohor prayers.

4. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. established guidance for congregational prayers when harmful or hazardous conditions exist:

أنَّ ابنَ عُمَرَ أذَّنَ بالصَّلاةِ في لَيلةٍ ذاتِ بَردٍ وريحٍ، ثُمَّ قال: ألا صَلُّوا في الرِّحالِ، ثُمَّ قال: إنَّ رَسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم كان يَأمُرُ المُؤَذِّنَ إذا كانَت لَيلةٌ ذاتُ بَردٍ ومَطَرٍ، يقولُ: ألا صَلُّوا في الرِّحالِ.

Which means: “Ibn Umar r.a. called the azan for prayer on a night that was cold and windy. Then he said: “Pray in your homes.” Then he said: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. used to instruct the muezzin, on a night that was cold and rainy, to say: ‘Pray in your homes.’" ²

From this hadith, it is clear that the Prophet s.a.w. lifted the obligation to attend congregational prayers in two situations: heavy rain and extreme cold.

5. Scholars explain that the ruling is not limited to these two situations. The underlying reason found in both conditions is the ‘uzr (legitimate excuse) which alleviates responsibility. Whenever a similar degree of difficulty exists, the same concession applies. Severe haze conditions that can be harmful to one’s health, especially to those with respiratory conditions, fall under this category.

According to Imam An-Nawawi in Al-Majmu’:

إِنَّ بَابَ الْأَعْذَارِ فِي تَرْكِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَالْجَمَاعَةِ لَيْسَ مَخْصُوصًا، بَلْ كُلُّ مَا لَحِقَ بِهِ مَشَقَّةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ فَهُوَ عُذْرٌ

Which means: “The chapter that expounds on (‘uzr) that make Friday prayers and congregational prayers excusable, is not limited (to specific situations that have been stated in the hadith), but anything that would cause one to experience great difficulties would be equally considered as ‘uzr."³

6. This concession is also drawn from the legal principle: “Difficulty necessitates ease.”

According to Imam An-Nawawi in Raudatut-Talibin:

كُلُّ مَا أَمْكَنَ تَصَوُّرُهُ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ مِنَ الْأَعْذَارِ الْمُرَخِّصَةِ فِي تَرْكِ الْجَمَاعَةِ، يُرَخَّصُ فِي تَرْكِ الْجُمُعَةِ.

Which means: "Any reason that could be considered valid (in the Shariah) to make congregational prayers excusable would also be considered valid to make Friday prayers excusable."⁴

7. This means that this concession is not limited to the five daily prayers in congregation, but extends to all congregational prayers including Friday prayer, the Tarawih prayers in Ramadan and the two Hari Raya prayers.

In line with the established religious principles above, the Office of the Mufti advises those with respiratory conditions who are unwell due to haze-related problems, or whose medical conditions may worsen with exposure to haze, to avoid attending prayers at mosques when haze conditions reach hazardous range. Such individuals are permitted to refrain from attending Friday and other congregational prayers at mosques.

8. For those without pre-existing medical conditions, they are advised to take appropriate precautions in line with prevailing national health advisories, including minimising outdoor exposure and wearing suitable masks where recommended, when attending prayers at the mosques. This is in line with the spirit of Islam that encourages its followers to take precautionary measures to prevent illness.

Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 195:

وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ

Which means: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.”

وصلّى الله على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلّم

Office of the Mufti
Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
October 2026

¹ The Zohor prayer is to be performed in place of Friday prayer.
² Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari, no. 666
³ An-Nawawi, Al-Majmu’, vol 4, pg 384.
⁴ An-Nawawi, Raudatut-Talibin, vol 1, pg 146.