Islam is the religion of all ages. It is the most adaptive, assimilative and accommodating religion of the world that provides its adherents an unparalleled blueprint to lead an exemplary life. It guides its followers about every aspect of life, be it of past, present and future. Therefore, a true believer always looks towards Islam whenever he encounters with any calamity or catastrophe. The latest outbreak of COVID-19 also warrants moving towards Islamic teachings for coping with this global contagion.
Corona virus, for sure, is an apocalypse for humanity. So how should we respond to this calamity? Allah, The sublime tells us in following verse: “Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to All?h, and indeed to Him we will return.'”. A Muslim is patient in trials; he knows All?h will never forsake him, nor will All?h burden him with a trial that is more than what he can handle.
Surely, Allah, the omnipotent tests his slaves in times of trials and tribulations. The companions once asked the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW): “Oh Messenger of All?h, who from amongst the people were tested the most? The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded and said, the Prophets, then the next best and then the next best.”
In connection of adopting good hygiene, Islam lays great emphasis on observing cleanliness under all circumstances
However, a Muslim should not be negligent and show clinical attitude in dealing with the pandemic. Regrettably, as commonly observed, in our country, our brothers in faith when asked to adopt precautionary measures react insensibly, saying that we are the Muslims, having firm faith in Allah, hence, corona virus will not affect us. Sorry to comment that it is altogether an unrealistic and irrational approach to fight this contagious pathogen (coronavirus) for a disease is never religion-centric. Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) strongly disapproved such nonchalance and admonished his followers that one should first take necessary measures and then rely upon Allah. It is narrated in book of Hadith that “One day Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, ‘Why don’t you tie down your camel?’ The Bedouin answered, ‘I put my trust in All?h’. The Prophet (PBUH) then said, ‘Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in All?h’.
Now come to the guidelines that Islam provides to its followers in case of outbreak of any pandemic. Surprisingly, what today immunologists and the WHO are suggesting was also suggested by Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) some 1400 years back. The practice of adopting good hygiene and quarantining in order to remain protected from global contagion was advised by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) to his followers years back.
In connection of adopting good hygiene, Islam lays great emphasis on observing cleanliness under all circumstances. Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) once said: cleanliness is part of the faith”. A Muslim is supposed to perform ablution (Wudu) before offering Salat in which washing hands is an inescapable sine qua none. Hence, a Muslim washes his hands repeatedly five times a day. The WHO is now advising the same as practiced by Muslims to the populace to wash hands as many times as possible to ward off COVID-19.
“Covering mouth when sneezing” is another advice given by the WHO as a protective measure from coronavirus. Interestingly, this was also practiced by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). “Whenever the messenger of Allah sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth.”
Quarantine is another key measure prescribed by the WHO to mitigate the impact of coronavirus. It was also prescribed by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) some 1400 years back. He gave instructions on what to do if there is an outbreak of any infectious epidemic. Abd al-Rahm?n ibn ‘Awf said: “I heard the Messenger of All?h (PBUH) say: “If you hear that (the plague) is in a land, do not go there, and if it breaks out in a land where you are, do not leave, fleeing from it.”
Moreover, Islam also admonishes its adherents to seek medication. Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age” (Abu Dawud).
Finally, it is also an act of Sunnah to say duaas (supplications) to protect yourself from coronavirus and other infectious diseases; Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) used to say: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from leprosy, madness, elephantiasis, and evil diseases” (Abu Dawud).
To cap it all, we as a nation should behave responsibly in this time of trial and tribulation and religiously act upon the instructions given by the government. Our religious scholars should also sensitize the people about teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) regarding the protective measures in case of any outbreak. After all, we can subdue this deadly virus only by demonstrating unity, faith, and discipline.
The writer is advocate-cum-columnist based in Quetta.