COVID-19: Looking At It Through The Prism Of Islam

Tariq Ahmad Dar & IQRA REYAZ DAR
On March 11, 2020 the world health organization (WHO) officially declared covid-19 as a pandemic- official recognition that virus respects no borders and is now infecting the masses and exceptionally higher proportion of population over a wide geographical area. The virus that is taking almost everything from us does not differentiate between the rich and the poor thereby infecting people including the people of ministerial levels as the UK Prime Minister, Bohris Johnson testing positive for the virus, up to the bottom most sections of people that come in its path. This virus is rapidly gobbling up human lives regardless of their citizenship, race, religion, cast and colour across the globe. Since the covid-19 has higher rate of transmission then the recent outbreaks of influenza (h1n1), SARS, and MERS. As of now there is no vaccine and cure for this deadly virus, therefore, the health officials have declared ‘social distancing’ the single, best and most appropriate precautionary and preventive measure in order to suppress and minimize the further spread of disease. The main kind has been fighting these pandemics since the times immemorial, in fact this millennium has already suffered three pandemics and certainly the covid-19 is not going to be the last one. The prophets’ (S.A.W) statement that for every illness God gives a cure has inspired Muslims through centuries to perceive medical knowledge. Given these latest developments in our understanding, a Muslim should show his complete reliance on the holy book i.e. Quran and what prophet (S.A.W) has said. The belief that body and soul belong to God and will return to him, grounds Muslim recognition of sanctity of human life and the need to ensure both physical and spiritual well being. As we Being Muslims, the question that strikes to almost every ones’ mind is what are the reasons behind the outbreak of these pandemics? Let’s discuss some reasons behind the disease outbreak. First is Immorality: prophet (S.A.W) is being reported to have said, “When immorality is so common among people to such an extent that they commit it openly, then plagues and diseases that were never known among the predecessors will spread among them”. From this Hadith we can draw a conclusion and can relate it with the present circumstances the world is traversing through, in which the virus has rendered the countries clueless and has brought even strongest countries to their knees. It can be a kind of punishment from Allah (S.W.T) because we all either indirectly or directly are denying the decrees of Allah (S.W.T). Allah says in Quran,” And I (Allah) did not create the Jin and main kind except to worship me (Allah)”. Imam Hassan Al Basri said, “If your prayers do not mean much to you, then what is more important in your life? As much as you take ease of your prayers, your life will be taken care of”. Second it can be a test from Allah (S.W.T), Allah says in Quran, “WE shell certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops. But (Prophet), give good news to those who are steadfast.” (Quran 2:155). Islam teaches that all diseases such as Corona virus (Covid-19) are tests from Allah (S.W.T) and a natural part of life. Such diseases afflict whomever Allah allows them to afflict and they take the lives of whomever he has decided to bring to an end. Tests are natural, albeit difficult, part of life and should not be surprising for any Muslim when they occur. Tests are natural to life, Allah (S.W.T) tests us (Main kind) so that Allah sees how would we handle and respond to the situation? Every faith will be tested. We should not expect everything to be soothed all the time. At times we will panic, will be fearful but we should trust Allah (S.W.T) because Allah has promised that he won’t test us beyond our capacity. Allah says, “Do you think you will enter paradise without such (trails) as come to those who passes away before you. They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with them said, “When (Will) the help of Allah come.” Yes, certainly the help of Allah is close. Anyone who is afflicted with the illness, and is patient, will spiritually benefit from that test. The prophet (S.A.W) said, “Whatever trouble, illness, anxiety, grief, hurt or sorrow afflicts any Muslim, even the prick of thorn, God removes some of his sins by it.” (Bukhari#5641). Regarding illness leading to death, the prophet was asked about the plague. He responded, “It is a torment with which Allah afflicts those whom he chooses, but he has made it a mercy for the believer. If a servant (Of Allah) is afflicted with the plague and patiently remains in his town, realizing that he has only been afflicted with what Allah has determined for him, he will have the reward of a martyr.” (Bukhari#5734).
Lets raise our hands and seek forgiveness and pray to Allah to make end to this pandemic soon and restore the health of all those suffering around the world, Ameen!.
What should we do after the disease breaks out? Is question of debate that every person wants to know the answer of? As Islam requires us to both put our trust in Allah and utilize the means to protect ourselves when possible. Prophet (S.A.W) that encourages us to take by the reasonable means, while at the same time placing your full trust in Allah (S.W.T). The prophet (S.A.W) said, “If you hear of a plague in a land then do not go into it, and if it happens in a land where you are, then do not move out of it.” This fundamentally talks about preventing the spread of plague through precautions of ‘social distancing’ by saying “Don’t go into it.” And “self-quarantining” by saying, “Don’t move out of it.” During the lifetime of prophet, some people thought that using medicine may go against the concept of relying on Allah (Tawakkul). Those people asked, “Messenger of Allah, should we use medicine?” “Yes, you may use medicine. Allah has not created any disease without also creating its cure, except one: old age.” (Abu Dawud#3855). Notwithstanding the minority view that the true faith requires total reliance on God, resource to medical treatment is not viewed as a weakness of belief, even if illness can be seen as a trial by God meant for atonement and spiritual progress. We need to understand the word ‘Tawakkul’ in its best form. Hadith: prophet (S.A.W) has said, “Tie your camel first and then trust Allah”. The same reasoning was followed by Umar (R.A) (2nd caliph of Islam) when his decision of going back to Madinah and not entering the plague affected Syria was questioned by saying are not you running away from the decree of Allah? He responded, “Yes, I am fleeing from the decree of Allah to the Decree of Allah.” This demonstrates best way to balance between Relying on Allah and taking sufficient precautions. While following the physical precaution, one should never forget to seek forgiveness through Dua/prayers and Namaaz. As Allah (S.W.T) says in Quran, “Seek assistance through patience and prayer.” Patience is a sign of good believer. Allah says, indeed it is very difficult to do this (patience) except for those who are pious, humble and those who adopt the decrees of Allah (S.W.T) wholeheartedly, for them it will be easy to engage in patience. Lastly, doing repentance as Prophet (S.A.W) said, “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” Instead of creating panic, there is a high time for us to use this calamity as a way to return to Allah (S.W.T) and to rediscover our faith. In fact this virus outbreak remind us that how weak we are as humans and how something that is not even visible is threatening greatest of all nations. Lets raise our hands and seek forgiveness and pray to Allah to make end to this pandemic soon and restore the health of all those suffering around the world, Ameen!.
( Tariq Ahmad Dar is B.Sc (Hons) IInd Chemistry at AMU Aligarah and Iqra Reyaz Dar is pursuing M.B.B.S at GMC Srinagar. Views are their own, [email protected], [email protected])