The Islamic Perspective on the Coronavirus Pandemic

What is Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) telling us?

This outbreak is an expression of Allah's (سبحانه و تعالى) power and might. He is al 'Atheem (The Supreme), and no matter of technology, nor scientific advancement can overpower Him and His will.

We must know that every occurrence, happening, or tragedy in our lives is a signpost to the one who transcends the confines of time and space; the one who causes sickness, and never becomes sick; the one who heals, and never requires healing. In knowing this, we must ask ourselves and reflect not only on the "how", but also on the "why".

Narrated 'Amir bin Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas:

That he heard Usama bin Zaid speaking to Sa`d, saying, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) mentioned the plague and said, 'It is a means of punishment with which some nations were punished and some of it has remained, and it appears now and then. So 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."

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَامِرُ بْنُ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ، يُحَدِّثُ سَعْدًا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَكَرَ الْوَجَعَ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ رِجْزٌ ـ أَوْ عَذَابٌ ـ عُذِّبَ بِهِ بَعْضُ الأُمَمِ، ثُمَّ بَقِيَ مِنْهُ بَقِيَّةٌ، فَيَذْهَبُ الْمَرَّةَ وَيَأْتِي الأُخْرَى، فَمَنْ سَمِعَ بِهِ بِأَرْضٍ فَلاَ يَقْدَمَنَّ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ بِأَرْضٍ وَقَعَ بِهَا فَلاَ يَخْرُجْ فِرَارًا مِنْهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6974

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) is displeased with His people, and this virus is a punishment from Him for those who do not remember Him. He is displeased of our sinning, and lack of care to seek forgiveness. We must take heed to the warning signs of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) punishment, and not be dismissive as if these events are mere coincidences. 

Be Measured

It is our duty and responsibility as Muslims to be careful, and not be a negligent source of spreading of any sort of virus. Also, we must understand and be conscious of the fact that contraction of this virus is not an automatic death sentence. The vast majority of cases do not end in death, and nearly all of the sick are returning to a state of full recovery. It is not a time to panic, and lose respect for your humanity. It is not a time to fear unnecessarily, and to forget that Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) is in charge, and over all things. We should remain pragmatic from the physical perspective, while at the same time remembering Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) power. Do not over purchase, and do not selfishly hoard goods and items that others may also need.

If You Become Sick

If you happen to have symptoms of the virus, then get yourself tested, and refrain from contact with others as much as possible. If you are a carrier of the COVID-19 virus, then be responsible, and inform those whom you have been in contact with to the best of your ability. It is your duty to be aware and not careless.

How to Remove the Punishment

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) entered upon a sick man to pay him a visit, and said to him, "Don't worry, Allah willing, (your sickness will be) an expiation for your sins." The man said, "No, it is but a fever that is boiling within an old man and will send him to his grave." On that, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Then yes, it is so."

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ يَعُودُهُ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ كَلاَّ بَلْ حُمَّى تَفُورُ عَلَى شَيْخٍ كَبِيرٍ كَيْمَا تُزِيرَهُ الْقُبُورَ‏.‏ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ فَنَعَمْ إِذًا ‏"‏‏.‏

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5662

Remember that Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) is in charge of your affairs, and He chooses your life and death, your tribulations and joys, your calamities and gifts. The happenings of the believer are always good, because with the good, he is thankful, and with the trials, he is patient.

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].

وعن أبي يحيى صهيب بن سنان رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏عجبا لأمر المؤمن إن أمره كله له خير، وليس ذلك لأحد إلا للمؤمن ‏:‏ إن أصابته سراء شكر فكان خيراً له، وإن أصابته ضراء صبر فكان خيراً له‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Arabic/English book reference : Book 1, Hadith 27

And if Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) were to call any of us back due to this virus, remember what our Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The martyrs are five: Those who die of the plague, stomach illness, drowning, being crushed, and the martyr in the cause of Allah"

Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)

Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1063

May Allah make us all of the saabireen (the patient), and may He be with all of you in heart, mind, and soul. Ameen.

Best,

Masoor Rafiq Umar
Vice President
Halal Watch World LLC