The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak of coronavirus (CoV) and the sooner we accept that these are extraordinary times which require unprecedented measures, the better it will be for us to combat this pandemic.
It goes without saying that many of the measures recommended by WHO, have already been recommended to us by Quran and teaching of Prophet Muhammad (PBHU) centuries ago.
Our aim here at Ibadat.pk is to not stir up any controversial debate (as our core goal is provide unbiased opinion [specifically in realm we operate in that is religious travel and related services] – however this public service message was also deemed mandatory), hence we will touch up on advice as simply prescribed in the Quran and Sunnah.
Islam has a unique way of dealing with outbreaks in two stages; i.e. before (proactive / precautionary) and after (reactive) the outbreak of the disease.
Islam places a very high value on cleanliness as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Purification (Cleanliness) is half of faith.” (Muslim)
Muslims, around the globe, enact this value by the performance of Wudhu (at least 5 times a day). The importance of cleanliness is evident now more than ever, when global health organizations like the WHO are recommending frequent washing of hands to kill viruses.
The Wudhu is also a way through which our hands and various parts of the body get cleaned on a regular basis. A person preforming wudhu is not only cleaning their hands but also all body parts potentially exposed. The process of gargling and cleaning the inside of nostrils with water provides additional protection.
Islam made ablution a pre-requisite for the validity of prayers and Wudhu carries great reward as mentioned in the following hadith:
“He who performs the Wudu perfectly (i.e., according to Sunnah), his sins will depart from his body, even from under his nails.” [Muslim].
Therefore, wudu (ablution) is one of the ways of protecting our bodies from diseases and viruses and being in a constant state of wudu will help protect us.
Good respiratory hygiene means covering your mouth and nose when one coughs or sneezes. This is another advice given by the WHO as a protective measure for protection from coronavirus.
Interestingly, this was also practiced by our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).
“Whenever the messenger of Allah sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]
One of the objectives of the Shariah is the preservation of the soul. Therefore, everyone must take all necessary measures to protect themselves against any harm. Not only one has to protect themselves but it is one’s religious and moral duty to protect the lives of others. As our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) said,
“If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.” [Bukhari]
Social Distancing is the best way to prevent the spread of Coronavirus! Muslim countries around the world have restricted congregation of all sorts (not limited to prayers). In unprecedented moves to limit the spread of the corona-virus, Saudi Arabia closed down all of its mosques for the customary five daily prayers, cordoned off Mataaf (open white area immediately around the Ka’bah where tawaf takes place) and completely disallowed Umrah for every one (locals and international Zaireen) on 19th March 2020.
Here a few things Muslims can do to while in quarantine at home.
Stay at home to keep yourself and others safe.
We should be considerate of our community at large and avoid panic buying and hoarding of food and essential supplies. Over stocking of food items results in shortage and further panic. It also results in overeating at personal level.
Islam urges Muslims to be moderate in consuming lawful food and drinks. Miqdam bin Madikarib said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.’” [Sahih (Darussalam)]
When a Muslim is afflicted with a certain disease, they have to look at it as a test from The Almighty. Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”. [Muslim]
Islam orders Muslims to seek medication. As narrated by Usamah ibn Sharik:
I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions were sitting as if they had birds on their heads. I saluted and sat down. The desert Arabs then came from here and there. They asked: Messenger of Allah, should we make use of medical treatment? He replied: 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. [Sunan Abi Dawud 3855]
It is an act of sunnah to recite the following dua (supplications) to protect oneself from infectious diseases (like coronavirus):
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبَرَصِ، وَالْجُنُونِ، وَالْجُذَامِ، وَمِنْ سَيِّئِ الأَسْقَامِ
ALLAHUMMA INNI AUDHUBIKA MINAL BARSI, WAL JUNOONI, WALJUZAAMI, WA SAYYIL ASQAAM
Oh ALLAH I seek Your refuge from leprosy, Insanity, mutilation and from all serious illness.
Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that were gifted to us centuries ago are extremely relevant today:
“Run away from the leper (the one with contagious ailment) as you would run away from a lion.”
(Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 608)
“Those with contagious diseases should be kept away from those who are healthy.”
Bukhaari (6771) and Muslim (2221)
“Do not enter a land where the plague (contagious ailment) has broken out ; don’t leave from where it has broken out”
Bukhaari (5739) and Muslim (2219)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not cause harm or return harm.”
Sunan Ibn Mājah (2340)
“Those who stay at home to protect themselves and others are under the protection of Allah.”
Musnad Ahmed, Saheeh
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The entire earth has been made a Masjid, except graveyards and washrooms.”
Tirmidhi (al-Salaah, 291)
The Prophet ﷺ said “There is no disease that Allah sent without sending for it a cure.“
Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 71, Number 582)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every disease has a cure. If a cure is applied to the disease, it is relieved by the permission of Allah.”
Muslim (2204)
Prophet (ﷺ) while sneezing, would cover his face with his hand or with his garment,”
Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi (Book 43, Hadith 2969), Sahih
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Cleanliness is half of faith.”
Muslim (223)
“The plague (contagion) patient who remains in his home with patience and expectation of reward, knowing that nothing will befall him other than Allah’s decree will attain the reward or a martyr“
Musnad Aḥmad, Sahih
also Bukhaari (2829) and Muslim (1914)
Global pandemics are not new (The Spanish Flu, Plague of Europe, SARs, Ebola etc), however an epidemic like coronavirus has never be seen before due the it highly contagious nature and in many cases being symptom-less in patients for a considerable period.
As on 28th March 2020 there have been a total of 1,296 cases detected in Pakistan (with 11 fatal cases) and 1,104 cases detected in Saudi Arabia (with 3 fatal cases).
Pakistani Federal Government has been a bit slow to react and provincial governments have taken up most of the charge by locking down provinces. However, at the federal level, Pakistani Government has taken a good timely decision to suspend all International flight operations and now domestic flight operations to curb the spread.
The Saudi Government has been very swift in taking strict action as compared to the Pakistani Government and taken measures like suspension of prayers at All Mosques (Except Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabvi in Madinah), not allowing entry to all international Umrah Zaireen, imposing curfew in cities from 7pm to 6am and temporarily banning all travel from several nations including Pakistan .
If current crisis doesn’t ease up then drastic measures might be taken but we have to wait for any update from the Saudi Government. As yet there has been no decision taken regarding the future of Hajj 2020, however Saudi Arabia on Thursday [26 March] has sent directives to Pakistan stating that any Hajj preparation work should be temporarily halted due to the coronavirus panic.
If Saudi government decides to take positive action of not cancelling Hajj 2020, there will still be great repercussions on the way it will proceed. To find out more read: How will Hajj 2020 and the rest of Umrah Season 2019 – 2020 be impacted by Corona Virus?
Originally published March 28th, 2020 3:06 pm, updated April 4, 2020
Topic: Umrah
Don't forget to share this post!
+92 (300) 040-4255
info@ibadat.pk
+92 (300) 040-4255
info@ibadat.pk
