Coronavirus

Also permissible in the Hanafi Madhab due to valid excuse/reason and according to Maulana Marghoob Ahmed Lajpuri (HA) doing this due to COVID-19 would be acceptable. He has answered it in his book last week.

Also permissible according to other Hanafi Scholars e.g. look at Jamiatul-Ulama South Africa poster from day 1

Mufti Amjad Saheb (HA) probably doesn't believe that COVID-19 qualifies.

You are reading the views of someone who is a master of deception and subterfuge.

1. NOBODY including Mufti Amjad (HA) believes that leaving gaps nullifies the prayer at all.
2. EVERYONE believes that it is Sunnah to arrange the rows properly
   
3. EVERYONE believes that it is permissible to have gaps due to valid reason/excuse. The books of Fiqh talk about a break (due to a puddle or a barrier like a pillar or other reasons etc)

The issue now becomes is COVID-19 a valid excuse to make gaps in the row? Maulana Marghoob Ahmed Lajpuri (HA) and many South African (Hanafi) Scholars believe that it does so leaving gaps is permissible.

Mufti Amjad (HA) probably does not think so but he does not believe that the prayer of the person is nullified by doing so. I have not spoken to him so I am speculating on former but certain on later.

Read the views of "Concerned" about women attending Mosques, the man finds a gap enlarges it into a mountain OR builds a straw man argument and spends days poking holes in an imaginary argument.

The crux of the issue is this:

1. ARE gaps due to danger of passing COVID-19 in the rows permissible?

No matter if the answer is Yes or No, the prayer is valid either way.

• THOSE who wish to have a gap can follow Maulana Marghoob Ahmed Lajpuri (HA) and South African Hanafi Uama
• THOSE who do not wish to have a gap can follow Mufti Amjad Saheb (HA)

Although in this case, I (personally) would go with option 1 due to the status of Maulana Marghoob Ahmed Lajpuri (HA) and no disrespect to Mufti Amjad Saheb (HA) as he is dear to me and I speak to him almost everyday.

There is no public congregation in UK at this time and those who have been designated can speak to the Ulama. Your deception is not required at this sensitive time for the Ummah of Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam).