By Abdullahi Jamma
On Saturday, 7th March 2020, a number of countries reported their first cases of coronavirus which according to latest news report has now killed nearly 3,500 people and infected more than 100,000 across 92 nations and territories.
Since the first outbreak, the Director General of World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus has consistently appeared before televisions screens assuring the world that the COVID-19 disease can be defeated.
On Thursday Dr. Tedros said “This epidemic can be pushed back, but only with a collective, coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government.”
Despite this assurance, the threat of COVID-19 epidemic is real anywhere else in the world as it remains a looming disaster for countries far away from the epicentre. Global anxiety and fear is spreading like a wild fire in all continents.
Citizens around the world are avoiding crowded places, cutting back on inessential travel and taking precautionary measures such as working from home to avoid catching the new coronavirus-the scare of the century.
Across the Muslim world, the impact of the virus is affecting citizens in a disturbing way, affecting not just the itsy-bitsy of daily life but also changing the way Muslims worship: Saudis have banned Umrah , Iran cancelled Friday prayers and Singapore Muslims are urged to bring their own mats to masjids.
Seek Allah’s protection
This is the time to harness the strength of being a Muslim while keeping your chin up, trusting Allah and tying the camel. Once you place at the back of your mind a strong conviction that everything is by the decree of the Lord of the world, nothing can harm you.
There is no point to panic. Put anxiety into the dustbin for coronavirus is not a ticket to death. Death doesn’t depend on health and age, it is a different affair whose time only the creator knows. With or without this epidemic death will certainly come for you when the right time comes.
Amidst the agonising coronavirus debacle, seek protection only from Allah. The removal of harm is in the Hands of Allah and that none removes except Allah. Indeed the forelocks of the believer is tied to Allah’s divine will and decree.
The most important thing is to delegate your affairs upon Allah (the Most High) and being truthful in seeking refuge in Him only, for indeed the one who places reliance upon Allah, He will suffice Him and whoever seeks refuge in Him, He will protect him.
Allah (the Most High) says: “Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah ? Little do you remember.” Quran 27:62
Here are important Islamic tips to follow when dealing with outbreaks such as the coronavirus. They are not the only ideas related to the topic but they form the most fundamental techniques and guidelines to act upon.
The prophetic quarantine
Isolation and quarantine is not something new to Islamic medicine and health guidelines. It was an espoused prophetic practice that was used to curb the spread of deadly diseases. Successive Islamic caliphate used this practice during their reign.
The messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded Muslims not to enter a plague-infested area. Plague can be an outbreak of any form and scale. Muslim scholars agree that the current spread of coronavirus satisfies this condition.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.” (Bukhari)
The prophetic supplication
The legendary Muslim scholar and author of the book ‘The Medicine of the prophet’ Imam ibn Qayyim Al- Jauziyah wrote that remembering Allah, supplicating to Him, invoking and pleading to Him, giving in charity and reciting the Qur’an is a powerful remedy against diseases.
“We have successfully tried this method many times, that which only Allah is able to count, and we witnessed the wonderful effects and this method never fails” He wrote.
In this regard there is a special dua against diseases and outbreaks which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used. Recite this powerful prophetic supplication to guard against diseases and evil destructions.
The messenger of Allah prayed: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from leucoderma, insanity, leprosy and evil diseases” (Abu Dawud)
The prophetic Medicine
There is no known medicine for coronavirus. Research on vaccination is still in early stages and may take several months or even years before global doctors identify medicine for the virus.
1400 years ago, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has left behind a treasure gold of prophetic medicine that has been used to treat a number of illnesses. Some of these medicines can be used to treat across range of diseases.
Here I will mention two common medicinal items that are used to treat cold-related ailments. Black seed and honey fill the cupboards of Muslim homes.
The messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Use the Black Seed, because it contains a cure for every type of ailment, except for death.” (Tirmithi)
Ibn Qayyim said: “Black Seed helps against all types of cold ailments. In addition, it helps introduce the effective ingredients of cold medications to the areas affected by hot and dry ailments”
Black seed comes in two forms: liquid oil and powder. It is very rare to find a Muslim home without black seed. Many Muslims know how to use both forms because it is an age-old medication.
Honey is a powerful prophetic medicine which has tremendous medicinal value, because it washes away the harmful substances that might be collected in the veins and the intestines.
“Honey is beneficial as a drink and as an ointment, it is of great value for the elderly, and those suffering from phlegm and cold moods or condition (chills)” said Ibn Qayyim in his book
A hadith recorded by Ibn Majah and others stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ”Make use of the two cures: honey and the Qur’an.”
The prophetic hygiene
Islam places great emphasis on personal hygiene. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed us about the importance of cleanliness when he said, “cleanliness is half of faith.”
And the magnificent Quran is more specific regarding the topic of personal hygiene. Allah (the Most High) says:
“……………………Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” Quran 2:222.
Keep your body, clothing, and environment clean; remove the dirt or grime that collects in the various parts of the body, such as hands, teeth, nostrils, under the nails, in the armpits and around the pubic area.
Use the power of wudhuu to remain clean physically and pure spiritually. If you can always keep wudhuu with you, if you can always renew it when you enter the masjid and if you can stay in a state of wudhuu for ever in your life, know that it’s the bedrock of unceasing barakah: Rizq, health, success, honour and of course it’s a sure path to paradise.
Allah (the Most High) knows best
