Monday, Apr 19, 2010
Gulf News
Riyadh Shaikh Ahmad Al Gamdi, President of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Makkah, has rejected the general concept among the ulema in Saudi Arabia that "group prayer" is a requirement and said there was no point in forcing people to close their shops during prayer times.
In a controversial statement to the local Arabic Okaz newspaper, he said that the majority of scholars believe that "group prayer" is not compulsory and that people can pray individually wherever they may be. He stressed that group prayer is "Sunna" in the view of the majority of scholars and accordingly shops might not be closed during prayer time as is the custom in Saudi Arabia.
He, however, said that if the leaders of the country decided that all shops must be closed during prayers, then people must abide by this decision.
He also stressed that it is not right to condemn those who call for keeping the shops open since this is the view of the majority of scholars about the time of prayers.
"Holding of prayer in groups is a discretionary issue in which scholars differed much, with most of them saying that it is Sunnah, including Abu Hanifa, Al Shafi'i and Malek", he said.
The statements made by Al Gamdi came months after his earlier controversial statements in which he said that mixing of men and women is not forbidden by Sharia.
Severe criticism
Al Gamdi was severely criticised by some Muslim leaders including some staff members of his own department.
He said that he never expected to face such attacks including personal insults and attempts of attacks even against his friends and relatives.
Al Gamdi called for the introduction of reforms in his own department to cope with aspects of modernisation in the Saudi society.
"I think the Department of Virtue Promotion and Prevention of Vice is still in dire need for the selection of moderate and qualified cadres in the leadership and guidance positions, to replace the extremists who do not abide by regulations and instructions," Al Gamdi said.
By Abdul Nabi Shaheen
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