What Does Islam Says About Plague (In Context To Corona)?

Islam is a religion that is complete and perfect for all times and places. Islam has a solution for all the problems that Muslim faces.

Islam exhibits that death and life are in the hands of Allah. However, religion also says there is no disease that cannot be cured.

Nowadays an outbreak of Covid-19 has shaken the whole world even the superpowers are unable to do anything but a Muslim shouldn’t be disappointed and ask for mercy to Allah.

Many centuries ago, our Prophet urged his people to eliminate the element of contact to save lives during an epidemic. It shows how much Islam values protection of life and health. Above all, a Muslim should believe in Allah and accept what is destined for him. On the other hand, he should also take rational and precautionary measures in any adversity just like the pandemic of coronavirus.

In light of this Hadith, it is clear that we should trust in Allah but after taking all the precautionary measures. Therefore, we should first wear mask, avoid close contact and maintain social distance to avoid corona virus. And then trust Allah as life and death belongs to Him.

One aspect of coronavirus prevention that comes very naturally to Muslims is personal hygiene. Health organizations and experts promote personal hygiene to limit the spread of coronavirus, especially washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.

Muslims should take it as a test from Allah to check their faith and should trust Allah have faith in Him.

In the Quran, Allah has stressed upon “Taqwah” (god-fearing) and “Tawakal” (reliance upon god). This is because a human can’t control certain things. There are a plethora of things, which are beyond the control of humans at this time what one should do? As per, Islam one should strengthen one’s beliefs regarding death, calamity, happiness, respect, honor, disrespect as all of them come from Allah Almighty.

During the life of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) a plague occurred during which He asked Muslims not to travel and further spread the disease. The Prophet also strictly observed what he advised his companions about the epidemics as he had done in other issues. 

The Prophet gives utmost importance to his own health and public health. When he was in Medina and was about to make an agreement with one of the delegations, he refused to shake hands with one of the people [from the delegation], who had a contagious disease, sending him back [to where he came from].

So during these hard times we should strictly follow the guidelines provided by health professionals to keep not only ourselves but also our closed ones and other people safe.

Many of the health guidelines given by the Ministry of Health are in fact normal practices for Muslims, some of which are as follows;

1. Washing hands: this is a part of ablution, a Muslim’s daily ritual of purity.
2. General cleanliness: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ”Cleanliness is part of faith”. Keeping our surroundings tidy, cleaning up after ourselves, and wiping surfaces down are all aspects of cleanliness that must be adhered to in these situations.
3. Covering your mouth when sneezing; The Prophet would cover his mouth when he sneezed. This basic can take a big part in the stopping of the spread of viruses. “Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth.”
4. Quarantine in times of viruses which can spread; The Prophet gave instructions on what to do if there is an outbreak.

So in light of Islam a Muslim should have faith in Allah (SAW) and also follow all the guidelines and precautionary measures. May Allah help us in getting out of this situation without damaging our Imaan and guide us to right path.

So in light of Islam a Muslim should have faith in Allah (SAW) and also follow all the guidelines and precautionary measures. May Allah help us in getting out of this situation without damaging our Imaan and guide us to right path.

About Author:

Hafsa Mohammad Hanif

Assalamualaikum I’m Hafsa Muhammad Hanif from Karachi, Pakistan. I have done my M.S in microbiology from University of Karachi.