A biography of Watercolor Artist Moazzambeg Mirza
Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya loses his High Court appeal in UK against his extradition order to India, reports PTI
Tina Ambani pens emotional note for Mukesh Ambani on birthday days after writing heartfelt note for Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta
“इसमें भी हिंदू-मुसलमान एंगल ना ढूँढे”, पालघर मॉब लिंचिंग की घटना पर बोले अनुराग कश्यप
Video of currency notes in Indore falsely viral as ‘Muslim conspiracy’ to spread coronavirus
By Dr. Syed Arshad Hussain
The world is witnessing some tough times these days, with the appearance of the Coronavirus. Life situations are changing rapidly. Number of infected people is increasing day by day. In India we are in the verge of community transmission. Central Government as well as all state Governments of India in cooperation with different sections of people are jointly fighting to stop this. Compared to the most of the developed countries like America, Italy, England our efforts are successful to a certain extent. Most of us are yet to imagine the extent of danger waiting for us. A minute amount of negligence may create the maximum devastation. Now, the country needs support from each of its citizen and biggest team work to face the coronavirus pandemic – the highest level of threat of this century to the mankind.
However, it is pity to see that a group of people are taking the matter lightly. Also some people are trying to disturb the mutual harmony among various communities in the name of cast, religion, social status and so on. Some people are busy making jokes about the situation and spreading unhealthy messages through various social medias. Although, we need to be united and stress on “unity in diversity”, the pride of our nation.
There are lots of misconceptions and false propaganda is going on regarding the practice of Islam under the present situation. However, Islam is based on Quran and Hadith. A Muslim must follow this guideline. In certain cases group of Islamic scholars declare the guideline called fatwa. However, fatwa must be based on Quran and hadith.
Islam has prescribed certain guidelines to deal with infectious disease outbreaks that affects a community, or even the entire world.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Do not cause harm, and don’t get harmed [la darar wa la dirar].” (Malik)
This statement (hadith) clarifies a general principle that is used in all aspects of life, and which appropriately applies in situations of coronavirus outbreaks. A Muslim must avoid harming others if they are affected with a disease that has a likelihood of harming another person/people. Likewise, a Muslim must be careful not to get harmed, and must protect themselves appropriately.
Here are some Islamic guidelines on dealing with coronavirus:
(i) A Muslim must avoid harming others if they are affected with a disease that has a likelihood of harming another person/people.
(ii) A Muslim must be careful not to get harmed, and must protect themselves appropriately.
(iii) It is must to use medicine, and this does not violate the concept of trusting in Allah.
(iv) The Messenger of Allah has encouraged the discovery of treatments for diseases.
Offering prayer and other Islamic rituals:
In Islam prayer (Salat) in masque has been always encouraged. However, if someone is helpless (sick or unable to go due to physical condition) then relaxation is there and he or she can offer the same from the home and will get same reward.
Several leading clerics throughout the world have asked people to avoid congregation in mosques and offer prayers, including the weekly Friday prayers too, at home in the present situation to avoid spread of the corona virus.
Words in Adhan (call for salat) have been changed in several places. For example – Adhan was made in Kuwait telling Muslims to pray at home due to the spread of Coronavirus.
Instead of “Hayya ‘ala al-Salah” (come to prayer), the muadhin (who louds the Adhan) says “al-Salatu fi buyutikum” (pray in your homes).
This was also made at the time of the Prophet ﷺ during heavy rain and wind.
So at present all Muslims must offer Salat (Namaz) and other rituals from home and maintain social isolation else it will be treated as the violation of Islamic guideline and considered as sin.
Usage of medicine and dealing with outbreaks:
It is important to clarify some misconceptions that have arisen among Muslims regarding the usage of medicine and dealing with outbreaks. Some people, during the lifetime of the Prophet, thought that using medicine might be against the concept of relying on Allah [tawakkul]. Those people asked, “Messenger of Allah, should we use medicine?” The Prophet replied, “Yes, you may use medicine. Allah has not created any disease without also creating its cure, except one: old age (aging).” [(Abu Dawud), graded ṣahiḥ by scholars].
The Prophet clarified that it is fine to use medicine, and even encouraged, and this does not violate the concept of trusting in Allah. In fact, it can be derived that the Messenger of Allah has encouraged the discovery of treatments for diseases since he indicated that they exist, and were created by Allah to eventually be discovered.
To clarify the issue more, we can look to the story of Caliph Umar during the plague of ʿAmawas in Syria in 18 A.H. Umar was on his way to Syria for the second time when he got news of the outbreak in the region. He sought consultation from his advisors on whether to return to Madinah, the capital, or continue on. One of them said, “You left for the sake of Allah so this plague should not stop you.” Others advised the opposite. Umar decided to return to Madinah. Abu Ubaydah rebuked him, “Are you fleeing from the decree of Allah?”
“If you hear that it (plague) has broken out in a land, do not go to it; but if it breaks out in a land where you are present, do not go out escaping from it.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Leading Islamic cleric throughout the world issued fatwa (religious edict) asking Muslims to get tested for coronavirus if they show symptoms of the disease and undergo treatment.
In Islam, it is not permissible to hide it (disease). If people do not get their treatment and tests done it is absolutely against Sharia law, according to the fatwa issued by Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali of the Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal.
Preservation of Life:
This advice is perfectly in line with the underlying objective of the Shariah [Islamic Law] to preserve life. The five underlying objectives of the Shariah are explained by scholars to be the preservation of religion, life, intellect, wealth, and lineage.
Imam Al-Amidi [d. 631/1233] wrote: “The rules [in Islam] have only been prescribed for the benefit of His servants. The fact that they have underlying purposes and wisdom is grounded in both consensus and reason.”
If somebody intentionally expose himself / herself to the infectious disease (presently corona virus) and get infected and eventually dies, some scholars say that it might be considered as suicide. And suicide is haram in Islam and the person will be eventually thrown into jahannam (Hell).
Islam’s emphasis on cleanliness:
Furthermore, Islam’s emphasis on cleanliness in general, beyond just purifying the body for prayer, is quite well known. Also, the prescription to eat ‘pure’ food avoid the ‘impure’ is a theme mentioned throughout the Quran. These Islamic guidelines on dealing with coronavirus will help to prevent harming oneself, or others. Almighty Allah knows best.
Obeying the Law of the Country:
Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “It is necessary upon a Muslim to listen to and obey the ruler, as long as one is not ordered to carry out a sin” (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 2796 & Sunan Tirmidhi)
Therefore, according to Islamic scholars, Muslims have to abide by the laws of the land and the country they live in, whether it is a Islamic state (al-khilafa), Muslim countries, or non-Muslim countries, as long as they are not ordered to practice something that is against Shariah”. Islam guided Muslims to obey the laws of the country they are residing.
Therefore, under the present pandemic situation Muslims must follow the instructions issued by the Governemt time to time else it will be considered as sin.
Comment on recent controversy related to Tablighi Jamaat:
Its unfortunates that Tablighi Jamaat congregation arranged in the mid March, 2020 amongst the social isolation, violating the Govt. order that accelerates the COVID19 infection. I strongly condemn the organizer for arranging this in this wrong time. Also there are some audio / video came out saying Corona will not affect Muslims or Muslims must attend Masques for prayer etc by few so called Maulanas. According to Quran and Hadith this is wrong and these Moulanas must refrain themselves from doing so. Govt. administration should also take proper action against them for misleading the common Muslims as well as the society.
Also, I would like to say that tablighi Jamatis is a group of Muslims but for the misconducts or misleading acts of the leaders of Tablighi Jamat, whole Muslim community should not be blamed. For example, Asharam Bapu, Ram Rahim (Gurmit Sing) (long list), they were having crores of followers and they are now in jail. It does not mean that the religion they followed should be questioned!
Also there are lots of false propaganda with false (irrelevant) videos, photos etc to defame Muslim as a whole!
Government should take proper steps to stop this.
Conclusion:
Muslims as well as all citizens of the country must follow the guidelines issued by the Governemnt time to time and must maintain social isolation to overcome the present coronavirus pandemic. Indian Government has already taken lots of initiative in this regard. However, as a responsible Indian National each citizen irrespective of religion, cast, and social status must come forward and work as a team to face this biggest challenge of the century.
I also appeal to the Government that proper investigations should be done to identify the peoples whoever may be behind any kind of false propaganda and punish them accordingly. Also any kind of public gathering must be stopped by law.
We are happy that Indian initiative towards facing cornavirus pandemic has already been appreciated and followed by other countries. I strongly believe that with right steps taken by the Government. time to time, we shall overcome this pandemic situation soon.
***
The author is an associate professor department of physics, Tripura University, Tripura, India.
https://sahussaintu.wordpress.com/
The post Practicing Islam amid the Coronavirus pandemic appeared first on Muslim Mirror.
https://bit.ly/2K7KQ9m
📢MBK Team | 📰MuslimMirror
Post A Comment: