British mosques should only reopen after the coronavirus pandemic when it is safe to do so, said a cleric who was consulted on the planned relaxation of restrictions next week.
The UK government is expected to announce the reopening of churches, mosques and synagogues in England for private prayer from June 15.
But the chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Qari Asim, said it would "cause more challenges" to move too fast in lifting the restrictions.
Mr Asim is advising mosques not to reopen until they can hold congregational prayer.
"The fundamental difference between mosques and some other places of worship is that mosques are first and foremost used for congregational prayers," he told the BBC.
"Individual prayers can be performed anywhere, primarily at homes.
"Accordingly, opening the mosques on June 15 will cause more challenges for mosques and imams, as the expectation from the community will be to resume collective worship."
The advisory board has called on the government to allow small groups to meet for the five daily prayers in mosques, as long as social distancing and other measures are respected.
It has prepared guidelines for mosques, including social-distance markings, controls at entrances and exits, and the closure of ablutions.
Mr Asim is urging mosques to reopen only when it is safe.
The UK's Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has said reopening places of worship is a priority and praised communities for their "enormous patience and forbearance".
Mosques, churches and synagogues have been closed for almost two months after the pandemic forced the government to impose emergency measures.
