A young man named Ali Abu Arab collapsed and died during morning prayers at a mosque in the Jordanian city of Zarqa on Friday, November 13, while the worshippers around him carried on praying, according to security camera footage that has caused a public outcry in Jordan.
The footage, which spread widely on social media, shows the man falling to the floor in the middle of the prayer as the worshippers beside him continue as usual. For many viewers, the behavior of those standing near him was more shocking than the death itself. Critics asked how people could watch a man collapse in front of them and not stop praying to check on him and help.
The incident set off a religious debate in Jordan over whether it is permitted to break off prayer to help a person whose life is in danger.
On Saturday, November 14, Jordan's General Fatwa Department issued a special ruling titled "The ruling on interrupting prayer to save a person from danger or harm."
The ruling states explicitly that worshippers must stop praying when this is needed to save a person from mortal danger or real harm. It does not require everyone to stop. Only as many people as are needed to save the victim, and only those able to give the help required, must leave the prayer and act. The other worshippers may continue praying.
The department stressed that preserving human life is one of the most important principles of Islamic law. It cited the Quranic verse: "Therefore We decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever saves one soul, it is as if he saved an entire world."
The ruling also quoted the Muslim scholar Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam, who held that rescuing people in danger of drowning takes precedence over performing prayer.
