Should the Imaam terminate the salaah in the case of an earthquake?

· 9 Muharram 1440 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

If an Imam is leading an obligatory prayer in the Masjid and an earthquake strikes severely, under the Shariah, should he not suspend that salah and ensure for human safety and not show heroism? Taking the cue from the ruling on rains and harsh cold weather and the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)'s command to stay at home and pray, is earthquake not a bigger calamity?

Answer

If he is able to complete the salaah, he should do so.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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