Performing Jumu`ah Prayer by security patrols

Fatwa no. 13877 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last of the Prophets. (Part No. 7; Page No. 82) To proceed:The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has examined the Fatwa request submitted to His Eminence the Chairman by the Religious Affairs delegate through the Da`wah (calling to Islam) Center in Al-Bahah. The request was referred to the Committee by the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars, no. 1796 on 27/4/1411 A.H. Following is a statement of the question:On visiting the police department of Al-Bahah while traveling for preaching and guidance purposes, I was asked the following question:Nowadays, we charge soldiers to continually patrol cities, villages and commercial shops in order to safeguard properties and maintain order against the abuse of those perverted. However, soldiers ask how they can offer Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer in such a case. Is it waived in such a case and may they offer it as Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer after people leave Masjids (mosques)?Kindly, submit the question to the Chairman in order to give us the necessary Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) which we will, in turn, convey to our soldiers. May Allah grant you success! As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

Having examined the Fatwa request, the Committee gave the answer that they should offer Jumu`ah Prayer in the nearest Masjid after the last Adhan (call to Prayer) that marks the entrance of the Khatib (preacher), is proclaimed. If there is danger that might negatively affect the task (Part No. 7; Page No. 83) they are entrusted with, i.e. maintaining order, there will be nothing wrong with not offering the Jumu`ah Prayer. Instead, they may offer Zhuhr Prayer instead of Jumu`ah Prayer. Actually, this is meant to keep public interest and to ward off public danger.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.