Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Other than observing fasts and praying five times a day, Muslims also spend their time learning about the teachings of Islam and indulge in spiritual reflection as the month is believed to bring the worshipers closer to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, while the whole world is grappling to combat the novel coronavirus, it is of utmost importance for us to understand and know more about the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding pandemics.
Although praying in congregation is superior to prayers performed individually, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had also emphasized on the importance of self-isolation and quarantine during the outbreak of deadly diseases. According to Sahih al-Bukhari, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; and if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place."
He also instructed his followers that one sick person should not risk the entire community's health at large. "Do not place a sick patient with a healthy person," Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) said. He also extended the teachings to animals and told his followers that the cattle suffering from diseases should not be mixed with healthy cattle.
Furthermore, Islam also places great emphasis on the importance of cleanliness as it is also regarded to be the 'half faith'.
As narrated in the book of Hadith, “One day Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, ‘Why don’t you tie down your camel?’ The Bedouin answered, ‘I put my trust in Allah’. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, ‘Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in Allah’.
The beautiful Hadith is the best example that one has to take all the precautionary measures and then put his trust in Allah (swt). So this Ramadan let's follow the teachings of Allah's beloved Prophet and fight the novel coronavirus with Sabr. “Surely, Allah is with those that are patient” - InnAllaha Ma' As'sabireen.
Muslims across the world have to come forward in this global fight and support their governments as they try their best to combat the crisis. After all, we are being advised to do exactly what Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had advised his followers to do during pandemics. Let's offer prayers, taraweehs from the comfort of our homes, with our loved ones and avoid risking the health of our fellow countrymen Let's avoid throwing iftaar parties and instead distribute the same to the ones who are struggling to make ends meet, due to the lockdown. Let's donate the Zakat al-Fitr to relief funds aimed to fight the deadly coronavirus. Moreover, let's be compassionate towards the front-line warriors who are risking their lives to keep us protected. Let's keep the doctors, nurses, police and the essential service providers in our prayers.
