ABDUL RASOOL SYED
I SLAM is religion of all ages. It is the most adaptive, assimilative and accommodating reli gion 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 belongtoAllâh, andindeedto Him we will return.’”. AMuslim is patient in trials; he knows Allâh will never forsake him, nor will Allâh 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 Holy Prophet (PHUH):“Oh Messenger of Allâh, who from amongst the people were tested the most? The Holy Prophet (PBUH) responded, The Prophets, then the next best and then the next best.” However, a Muslim should not be negligent and show clinical attitude in dealing with the pandemics. Regrettably, as commonly observed, in our country, our brothers in faith when asked to adopt precautionary measures, react insensibly saying that we are Muslims, having firm faith in Allah, hence, virus will not affect us. Sorry to comment that it is altogether an unrealistic and irrational approach to fight contagious pathogen for a disease is never religion-centric. Prophet of Islam strongly disapproved such nonchalance and admonished that one should first take necessary measures and then rely upon Allah. It is narrated in book of Hadith that “One day Holy Prophet (PHUH), 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 Allâh’The Prophet then said, ‘Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in Allâh’. We also find a great lesson in the incident of Caliph Hazrat Umar (RA) that taking necessary precautions is sine qua none when you know of harm or potential danger that could afflict you. Umar ibn alKhattab was travelling with a group of companions during his reign. They approached a town for which it was said that it had a contagious/infectious disease. Umar asked his group whether they should proceed or return (to Madinah). The majority of the companions said they should go back but some said they should proceed. Then one companion said he knew a hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If you hear that the disease exists in a place, do not travel to that place.” So Umar decided that they should go back. Another companion asked him whether he was running away from qadar. Umar replied that they were moving away from one qadar to another qadar. Now come to the guidelines that Islam provides to its followers in case of outbreak of any pandemic. Surprisingly, what today immunologists and WHO are suggesting was also suggested by Prophet Mohammad (PHUH) some more than 1400 years back. The practice of adopting good hygiene and quarantining in order to remain protected from global contagion was advised by the Holy Prophet (PHUH) to his followers years back. In connection of adopting good hygiene, Islam lays great emphasis on observing cleanliness under all circumstances. Holy Prophet (PHUH) 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.WHO (World Health Orgnization) 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 WHO as a protective measure from Corona Virus. Interestingly, this was also practiced by Holy Prophet (PHUH). “Whenever the messenger ofAllah sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth.” Quarantine is another key measure prescribed by WHO to mitigate the impact of Corona Virus. It was also prescribed by Holy Prophet (PHUH) some 1400 years back.The Prophet (PHUH) gave instructions on what to do if there is an outbreak of any infectious epidemic. Abd al-Rahmân ibn ‘Awf said: “I heard the Messenger of Allâh (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. Prophet Muhammad 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 Corona Virus and other infectious diseases; Holy Prophet (PHUH) used to say: “OAllah, 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 (PHUH) 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, an Advcate, based in Quetta Balochistan.
