Announcement regarding congregational Salah at Masjid e Umer, Walthamstow

Due to a united decision taken by the leading Muftiyaan (Theologians) of the UK and the present government directive, we regret to inform you that we are having to temporarily suspend the congregational Salah in the Masjid until further notice (this includes  the 5 daily prayers as well as Jummah salaah)

As you are aware, we tried as much as possible that the Masjid remains open, but now due to the advice of the Scholars we have had to take this very difficult decision.

We remind you; please do not miss out on your 5 times Salah, perform them in congregation in your homes with your families. Sit with your children to recite the Holy Qur'aan, the Madrassah maybe closed in the Masjid, but Alhamdulillah the opportunity is there to make each house a place of learning. 

Insha'Allah it is the Salah, the recitation, the Duas and Istighfar that will take us out of this calamity with Aafiyah.

There will be regular Azaan being called from the Masjid, and the Imams will be there, so that the Masjid does not remain completely deserted without any Ibaadah.

We make dua to Allah Almighty that Allah Almighty grants Aafiyah to all humanity, and make this calamity come to an end very quickly.

Insha'Allah we will continue to keep you updated with any new developments. 

May Allah Almighty forgive our shortcomings and remove this calamity so that Masajid can be opened again and lives can come back to normal, Insha'Allah on the path of true guidance.

Aameen Yaa Rabb Al Aalameen.

Masjid e Umer Trust

Walthamstow.

‏ بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ،

(In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing)

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ‏.‏

(I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُنُونِ وَالْجُذَامِ وَالْبَرَصِ وَسَيِّيءِ الأَسْقَامِ ‏

Important Jumuah announcement from Masjid e Umer Trust 18th March 2020

Assalamualaikum wwb 

Unless some new restrictions are announced by the Government, there will be TWO Jumuah / Friday Salahs (Friday the 20th of March 2020).

• Those who are ill, Have health conditions or over the age of 60 please read Zuhr at home or organise Jumuah at your house . *DO NOT COME TO THE MOSQUE*
• Please DO NOT BRING CHILDREN under 12 years old
  
• Bring your own Musalla.
• Come prepared with Wudhu as there are NO WUDU FACILITIES AT MOSQUE
• We request that people do not congregate outside the masjid after or before salaah, please everyone go home

First Jumuah at 12:30pm.
Masjid will open at 12:15pm 
Azaan will be given, 4 Rakats of Sunnah Salah. After which a short khutba will take place followed by the 2 Rakats Fardh Salah.
Sunnats and Nafl Salah to be performed at home.

Second Jumuah 1:25pm.

Masjid will open at 1:10pm
Azaan of Jumuah at 1:25
Followed by khutba. After the Fardh Salah, Musalles will be requested to perform Sunnats and nafl at home.
Masjid will close 10 minutes after Salah.

IMPORTANT / VITAL INFORMATION BELOW

• Those who are ill please read Zuhr at home or organise Jumuah at your house DO NOT COME TO THE MOSQUE 
• Please DO NOT BRING CHILDREN under 12 years old
• Bring your own Musalla.
• Come prepared with Wudhu. NO WUDU FACILITIES AT MOSQUE
• We request that people do not congregate outside the masjid after or before salaah, please everyone go home

Please continue to look for updates on our website/Facebook.

CoronaVirus: Advice On Attending Masjid For Salah & Jummah

1.Over 60s are being strongly advised to pray salah at home instead of attending the masjid for congregational prayers

The latest medical guidance we have received is that 1 in every 20 people that contract the Coronavirus (Covid-19) will have aggressive symptoms and potentially die. However, the mortality rate of over 60s who contract the coronavirus (Covid-19) is much higher at 25%.

This decision has not been taken lightly. Families of the elderly are strongly advised to consider the implications of individuals that will pass away from this virus. For example, as the virus can remain active in the victims body for days after their death, the deceased may not be permitted to be given ghusl, their bodies will be sealed in body bags and buried in them immediately. The deceased persons family members may not be able to attend the janazah due to being in self-isolation.

2.Prepare Wudu from your home before coming to the masjid

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reports that Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “When one performs wudu at home and leaves for the masjid solely to offer salah [in congregation], for every step taken towards the masjid [in this state of wudu] one sin is forgiven, one reward accrued, and one stage is elevated in the Hereafter.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 647 and Sahih Muslim 1504)

The wudu facilities in masajids is primarily for travellers who are not able to make wudu from home. Due to the heightened risk of contracting coronavirus (Covid-19) from hard surfaces found in toilets or wudu facilities in masajids, we are advising all masajids to close their wudu facilities. NHS England has issued advice to mosques for keeping congregations safe by ensuring wudu areas have sufficient soap, hand sanitiser and paper towels to ensure visitors are able to comply with hygiene advice.

Bins will be removed from the masajid, therefore any used tissues will need to be disposed of at home.

3.Bring your own musalla to the Masajid.

NHS England has also issued the following advice for keeping congregations safe by ensuring carpeted prayer halls are cleaned more regularly than normal and buildings/rooms must be kept well ventilated at all times. Wifaqul Ulama agree with the guidance from the NHS and Government.

As it is not practically possible to sterilise the carpet after every salah, it is strongly recommended that you bring a thin musalla or hand towel to the masajid to do sajdah on. It is also recommended to wash these when you get home. Most viruses wont survive in temperatures over 60 degrees.

4) Stay away if you have cold or flu symptoms.

The advice from the UK government is for anyone showing mild symptoms to not leave their home for 7 days from when the symptoms started. This action will help protect others in your community.

When self-isolating, individuals showing symptoms should stay at least 2 metres away from other people in their home, sleep alone, wash their hands more regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water of hand sanitiser.

Particularly, stay away from vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

5.Seeking medical advice

If you suspect you are showing symptoms, in the first instance, please visit the NHS 111 website for advice on self-isolation. If symptoms worsen, follow their advice, in particular if you exhibit any breathing difficulties. Do not go directly into A&E or your GP surgery without first calling your healthcare professional.

Coronavirus (Covid19) and the immediate steps Masajid and Madaris need to take

If the teachers observe any signs of illness in the students of the Madrassah or if the children are ill then call the parents and send the children home.

Ensure extra and more thorough cleaning is conducted regularly.

Masajid must not have communal towels in the wudhu area.

The Musallees are advised to place their own face cloth or tissue on the place where they will perform the sajdah.

We advise people to perform their Faraidh in the Masjid and then, perform their Sunnats and Nafl Salah at home.

If one is feeling ill, then perform Salah at home. We can understand this from the instruction of performing Salah at home when there is heavy rain:

“Ibn Sirin RA narrated that Abdullah Ibn Abbas RA said to his mu’addhin on a rainy day, “When you utter the words ‘I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,’ do not say, ‘Come to prayer’ but say ‘Pray at your homes’ (صَلُّوا فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ), by this (announcement) the people were surprised. He said, “One who was better than me has done it. The Friday prayer is an obligatory duty. But I disliked putting you in hardship so that you might walk in mud and rain.” (Bukhari)       (This illness is more detrimental to one’s health than heavy rain)

The advice that is being given by medical professionals is that this illness affects the older generation more; so, the senior members should consider performing their Salah at home.

We should take these precautions but at the same time we must place our trust and faith in Allah Almighty, as good health and illness is from Allah Almighty.

Engage in Istighfar and the Duas prescribed in the Sunnah as much as possible, for example:

‏ بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ، لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ شَيْءٌ‏.‏

(In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing)

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ‏.‏

(I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُنُونِ وَالْجُذَامِ وَالْبَرَصِ وَسَيِّيءِ الأَسْقَامِ ‏

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