Malaysian Muslim Knowledge and Compliance with the Rule of Distancing Prayers by One Meter During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, this study examined the level of knowledge and compliance of Malaysian Muslims with the legal decision to distance each prayer by one meter. It is well known in Islam that praying near a congregation (jemaah) is encouraged, but Malaysia's muftis have decided to add a distance of one meter between the prayers to prevent Covid-19 from being transmitted. A questionnaire survey of 560 online respondents was conducted. The data were descriptively analysed to determine the level of knowledge and compliance with the decision. The results show that Malaysian Muslims' level of knowledge and compliance on this issue is very satisfactory.