Performing salaah with a distance between musallis and with a mask

Q: Prayers are offered in Masajid these days with distances between musallees being about one meter and leaving the alternate saff empty. Also, we need to wear a thin mask during prayers. This way the nose does not get in contact with the ground.

1. Are our prayers valid with distances in between?

2. Are our prayers valid with a face mask on? 

A: The command of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is to perform the salaah with the face kept open and to join the saffs and not to leave gaps for shaytaan.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)