Saudi Arabia considers lifting ban on shops during prayers

Saudi Arabia considers lifting ban on shops during prayers

Saudi Arabia will vote to lift the ban on shopping malls and shops during prayer times.

According to the Saudi newspaper, the members of the Islamic and Judicial Affairs Committee of the Shura have made some additional recommendations in the report of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, including the recommendation to lift the ban on closing business centers during prayers.

This recommendation has been made by the members of the Shura, Ata Al-Sabiti, Dr. Faisal Al-Fadl, Dr. Latifa Al-Shalan and Dr. Latifa Al-Abdul Karim.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has been requested to consult with the concerned agencies not to close commercial activities including petrol pumps and pharmacies during prayers but to maintain a ban on all commercial activities during Friday prayers.

Members have put forward a number of arguments in favor of lifting the ban on closing business during prayers, one of which is that nowhere in the world, including in Islamic countries, is it allowed to close business during prayers. Occurs only in Saudi Arabia.

Members say that like other public and private companies operating in the country, shopping centers and shops also provide employment to the people and are a source of livelihood, so they should not be closed like other sectors.

Members also say that the command to close shops during prayers is not found anywhere in the Qur’an and Sunnah, except for Friday prayers.

The members are of the opinion that the ahaadeeth that are available in this regard are weak and there is no authentic ahaadeeth and there is no evidence that during the time of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa or during the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, business was closed during prayers. The method was common.

The members also said that the closure of business centers would cause inconvenience to people belonging to various sectors while also hurting traders.