YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The remedy for ignorance is asking questions. (Prophet Muhammad)
The spirit of enquiry is the hallmark of an open society and the above saying of the Prophet aptly illustrates this principle. A culture of curiosity and open-mindedness will foster development in any society by motivating its members to learn enthusiastically and enrich their knowledge. This is because awareness of one’s ignorance is half of knowledge, as it becomes a stepping-stone to seeking and finding answers. A questioning mind is like a flowing river that is replenished with fresh thoughts and ideas and continues on its journey.
According to Islam, what is the response that is expected of us in the face of afflictions such as the present pandemic?
We must never forget that this world is meant for test. We are placed on earth to undergo a test. The Quran says: We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives and crops. Give good news to those who endure with fortitude. (2: 155)
When natural calamities strike human beings, they are reminded that many people in the past had suffered and had their faith tested. The present-day people, too, will be tried and tested in their lives.
A problem-free world does not exist. The present world is part of the divine test. We will find ourselves in certain situations to test us. It is our response that is of paramount importance.
As for the current pandemic, we must remember a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad: There is no disease that God has sent down, except that He has also sent down its treatment. (Sahih al-Bukhari) It means we should never despair of health hazards. There are remedies for every health problem. We should keep investigating nature to find out a cure for diseases while exercising patience. The Quran says: Truly, those who persevere patiently will be requited without measure. (39: 10)
There appears to be some kind of hesitation and reservation in people about the vaccination against Coronavirus. What does Islam say about using novel methods to treat an illness?
The Prophet is reported to have said: Treat with the Indian incense (Indian Aloeswood), for it has healing for seven diseases.
It means in the world of medicine, there is no concept of ‘ours’ and ‘theirs’. The whole of humanity should come together to alleviate the sufferings of health hazards. Medical findings of one nation should be used without reservation by other nations.
It is also reported that the Prophet took medicine sniffed by nose. (Sahih Muslim) It means medicines can be administered through various routes. One should not make it an issue if the route of administration is new.
To prevent the spread of highly communicable diseases, people are advised to follow social distancing and living under quarantine. Is it against the spirit of religion and humanity?
The Prophet Muhammad once said: Whoever hears that there is an outbreak of plague in some land, he should not go to that land, and if the plague breaks out in the land where one is already present, one should not run away from that land, escaping from the plague. (Sahih Muslim)
If a person is living in the area of the plague or pandemic, he should stay united with his people. He should not behave selfishly. He should not think of just his well-being. He should not forsake his people for his safety. On the other hand, if one hears of such a situation in any other place, then it would be unwise to travel there. This will increase the burden of that place which itself is suffering. One should do one’s utmost to provide aid to that place.
According to another Hadith: The sick should not mix with the healthy. (Sahih Muslim)
The method of putting the sick in quarantine is a time-tested and scientific approach to prevent people from getting infected. One should follow this practice in cases of rampant infection.
In the delegation of Thaqif, a man who was infected by leprosy was intending to give pledge to the Prophet, but the Prophet told him: “Go back; we have accepted your pledge.”
This was a religious event. Still, the Prophet thought of the prevention from disease. He followed no-contact protocol.
Is there any special supplication that we can read in such times?
For such trying times, the Prophet asked us to pray this: Remove the harm O Lord of the People! You are the one who heals and there is no healing except Yours, heal us with a healing which does not leave any disease behind. (Sahih al-Bukhari)