Shaykh Abu Abdillah Khālid Dahawī Adh-Dhufayrī (حفظه الله و جزاه الله خيرا):

“There has preceded from myself a warning regarding Salātul Hājah which is called to from time to time. And currently it is being called for to combat this epidemic (Coronavirus), Allah give us and you wellbeing. This prayer is not authentic at all and it is from the newly invented affairs and innovations. Innovations are in opposition to the command of Allah The Most High, and they are a cause for an increase in calamities not an aid or a means to remove them.”

A Warning regarding Salātul Hājah (Prayer of Need) – Shaykh Abu Abdillah Khālid Dahawī Adh-Dhufayrī (حفظه الله و جزاه الله خيرا)

That which has spread amongst the request of the people to (perform) Salātul Hājah after Friday Maghrib is an innovated affair and it is not permissible from two angles:

Firstly: Due to the weakness of the reported hadīth regarding Salātul Hājah. There is a fatwa from the Standing Committee, “As for what is called Salātul Hājah, then it has come by way of weak rejected narrations – as far as we know – there is no (authentic) proof established for it and thus it is not correct to base performance (of this prayer) upon those (narrations).”

Shaykh Uthaymīn (rahimahullah) said, “Salātul Hājah has no authentic evidence from the Prophet (sallallāhu alaihi wa salam).”

Shaykh Al-Albāni (rahimahullah) said whilst refuting Sayyid Sābiq in his (Sayyid Sābiq) authenticating of the hadeeth, “He has it authentic whilst in it’s chain of narration is a majhool (an unknown person)?

Indeed in Al-Musnad (Vol.6 pgs 442-443) by way of Maymoon Abee Muhammad Al-Maraa’i Al-Mamimee, Ibn Ma’een said “I do not know him”, ibn ‘Adee said “based upon this he is unknown”. Likewise Ad-Dhahabi said “He is not known”.

And if you want review (go to) “Al-Mīzaan” and “Al-Lisān” and Majma az-Zawā’id”. Vol 2 Pg 278 Tamām Al-Minna

Shaykh ibn Baz (rahimahullah) said, “I do not know a single hadīth which is depended upon for (the authenticity) of Salātul Hājah.”

Secondly: If the hadīth was authentic, then it is an innovation to specify a time for this prayer without a proof, therefore gathering to perform this prayer at one time is from the newly innovated affairs in the Religion.

Shaykh Abu Abdillah Khālid Dahawī Adh-Dhufayrī (حفظه الله و جزاه الله خيرا)