Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
While we all do observe social distancing and fully comply with the instructions of the public health authorities, let us all make the best of this blessed time to spiritually lift up our hearts, take care of our families, and spare no efforts to help those who are in need.
Answering your question, Dr. Wael Shehab, PhD in Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University and currently the Imam of the Downtown Toronto Masjid in Canada, states:
Thank you for your good question. May you have a happy and blessed Ramadan, ameen.
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
{O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those (faith communities) before you—so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah.
(Fasting for) a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) – then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) – a ransom (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day). And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.
The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad), concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be (rightly) guided.} (Al-Baqarah 2:183-186)
Ramadan is a time of spiritual uplifting, prayers, and refinement of hearts. It’s a time of generosity, giving back to our societies, and sharing what we have with all. It’s a time of reflection and social solidarity.
This year, the blessed month of Ramadan comes while we are going through the difficult time of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. So, while we all do observe social distancing and fully comply with the instructions of the public health authorities, let us all make the best of this blessed time to spiritually lift up our hearts, take care of our families, and spare no efforts to help those who are in need.
Let us pray to Allah in this blessed time to heal our sickness, to grant full and speedy recovery for all those who are ill, to remove the pandemic, and to save us all, Ameen.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds, ameen.
Almighty Allah knows best.