There have been many requests from different parts of the country seeking guidance in regards to performing Jumu'ah in this critical situation, in a restricted environment.
Jumu'ah prayers has its own salient features, and is more rewarding, has stricter regulations and the warnings for missing it are more severe in comparison to other obligatory prayers.
The guidance of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam in regards to jumma prayers is that all the people should gather in one place and offer prayers collectively, unlike other obligatory prayers.
From amongst the many regulations and conditions for the validity of Jumu'ah, one is the requirement of a minimum number of permanent residents from the locality.
The scholars have differed in regards to this minimum number, based on the evidence that they have come across. The scholars of the Shafi'i and the Hanbali schools of thought, as well as some other scholars, are of the opinion that the minimum requirement is 40 persons. Whereas the scholars from the Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought permit the conducting of Jumu'ah with less than 40 persons.