What is the ruling on closing mosques and prohibiting the five daily prayers and Friday prayer due to the coronavirus, while the call to prayer (adhan) continues, from a legal perspective and according to the four schools of thought, especially the Maliki school?

The Sharia commands the preservation of souls from harm. There are specific texts regarding the prevention of contagion, such as "An infected person should not come upon a healthy one," and the Hadith about the plague, which is considered the basis for quarantine. Also, the saying, "Flee from a leper as you would flee from a lion."

Given the danger of epidemics, it is essential to take preventative measures, including prohibiting gatherings and close contact, especially in places where infection can easily spread, such as mosques. This is what has led to the closure of many public facilities.

Suspending Friday prayers and congregational prayers in mosques becomes necessary, and may even reach the level of obligation depending on the severity of the epidemic and the assessments of specialists. This is based on the principle of "no harm and no reciprocating harm" (la darar wa la dirar) and "averting harm is preferred over gaining benefits."

If a decision to that effect is issued by those in authority, then it becomes obligatory to obey, especially if it is based on the recommendations of specialists.

The state must continuously review the situation, and when the danger subsides, it must promptly reopen the mosques for prayer.