Saudi Arabia's highest religious body, the Council of Senior Scholars, urged Muslims worldwide to pray at home during the holy fasting month of Ramadan if their countries require social distancing to combat coronavirus, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday.
"Muslims shall avoid gatherings, because they are the main cause of the spread of infection...and shall remember that preserving the lives of people is a great act that brings them closer to God," it said in a statement.
Public gatherings include mass prayers and breaking fast and suhour meals.
Ramadan is set to begin next week.
The council recommended that Muslims perform regular and Taraweeh (optional evening) prayers at home if their country advised them to do so due to the virus outbreak.
Muslims must set an example in how to fully respect preventive measures in their countries, added the council. Islamic Sharia allows for different forms of worship whereby the worshipper can do no harm to himself and others.
Earlier this week, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said that Muslim prayers during Ramadan and for the subsequent Eid al-Fitr feast should be performed at home if the coronavirus outbreak continues.
Saudi Arabia in mid-March stopped people performing their five daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayer inside mosques as part of efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
On Thursday, the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Madinah said it was banning events which dispense evening meals in the mosque to those in need during Ramadan to break their daily fast.
