Religious Rituals of Muslims and Early Phase of Covid-19 Pandemic in Pakistan: A Study from Fiqhi Perspective

Abstract

Abstract

Religious rituals in Islam are significant because they affect Muslim’s spiritual, social, and ethical life. The religious rituals that are performed by the Muslim comprises Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Muharram, Eid Milad-un-Nabi and Urs. Likewise, Fard-e-Kifayah is a sad religious rite which is performed by the Muslim for the deceased and is not celebrated but is obligatory to perform in Islam. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 came in China and from there it was spread all around the globe. Similarly, Pakistan was badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Due to which the people living in Pakistan faced many challenges in performing the above mentioned rituals respectively. Mass gathering were the major cause for the spread of the disease. Fiqh plays a crucial role in shaping the lives according to the current situation in the bounds of Shariah. The purpose for conducting this research was to know the challenges which are faced by the people during early phase of COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative study has been conducted for carrying out the research. The sources used for conducting the research are the primary and the secondary sources. The study will find the regulations that were made on performing such rituals according the teachings of fiqh in the light of Shariah by the religious leaders. The study will also explore the guidance of Islam with regard to the disasters when strike the people. The study concludes that people faced many challenges in performing the religious rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The teachings of Islam are flexible even in conducting these rituals for the welfare of the people.

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic, religious rituals, Pakistan, Muslim, Shariah, fiqh, religious leaders