Prophetic Guidance for Dealing with the Coronavirus
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Recently a global panic over the newest plague to hit mankind and cause death has spread placing people in fear and in caution. This plague is known as the Coronavirus. As of today, there are a total of 98,440 cases which have resulted in 3,382 deaths around the world.
A plague has been defined as a contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever and sometimes an infection in the lungs.
Why do plagues occur and where do they come from?
The scholars of medicine and science have concluded that plagues and viruses are a result of animals, air pollution, and some in the past have even stated that they can only occur in small rural areas, or only affect animals. Nonetheless, this is all incorrect; as it has been documented in history and witnessed today that a plague can befall any person, place, and area that Allah wills to be infected.
Imam Al-Maree’ Al-Hanbali mentioned that plague results due to sin and disobedience. Allah said: And whatever befalls you is a direct result of what your hands have put forth and He pardons many. (Ash-Shurra: 30) [1]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Immorality never appears among a people to such an extent that they commit openly but then plagues and diseases that were never known to their predecessors will spread among them.[2]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Immorality never appears among a people except Allah will cause death to overtake them.[3]
Immorality has been described as sin, wickedness, corruption, dishonesty, perversion, and even adultery and fornication.
Plagues and epidemics can be a mercy for the believer and a punishment for the disbeliever.
Living in a place where a plague has occurred can be rewarding for the Muslim. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Plague is the cause of martyrdom of every Muslim (who dies because of it).[4]
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about a plague and he said, “It is a punishment which Allah sends upon whomsoever He wills, but Allah has made it as a mercy to the believers. Anyone who remains in a town which is plagued with pestilence maintaining patience expecting the reward from Allah, and knowing that nothing will befall him other than what Allah has foreordained for him, he would receive a reward of Shaheed”.
These two aforementioned Hadith highlight the reward of a person dying resulting from a plague, granting the afflicted remains patient and avoids trying to flee from the land where the plague is by trying to escape death, but rather he should have certainty in his heart that anything that befalls him is what Allah has written for him ,or against him. When the person has that state of faith and isn’t regretful that he didn’t escape from the land before the plague entered it; and then he becomes infected then dies, he will have the reward of a martyr.
The outbreak of plague or epidemic can be the mercy of believer, but a punishment for the disbeliever. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Jibril came to me with the fever and the plague. I took hold of the fever and sent the plague to Sham. A plague is a martyrdom for my nation and an atrocity for the disbeliever. [5]
Quarantining the sick
Staying away from those afflicted with the plague is an established command in the Sunnah. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: When you hear about a plague in a land then don’t go there and if a plague befalls a place where you are, then don’t leave that area. [6]
Ibn Al-Qayyim said: There is a lot of wisdom for avoiding entering the land where the plague has stricken. Included in this is to avoid the harmful causes of the plague, remain in a wellness state of health, avoid breathing the air which has been contaminated, and avoid interacting or residing side by side with those afflicted with the plague.[7]
There are other ways in which the Muslims can take precautions against the plague and all other illnesses as well. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Oh Abbass regularly ask Allah for good health and well-being.[8]
How the Muslim should behave during the Coronavirus outbreak
It is through supplication to Allah that a person with faith can remain healthy and sound, if Allah wills. In fact, when we look into the sunnah we find many supplications that grant us protection against harm and sicknesses.
- Dua for protection against all harmful illnesses
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّى أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبَرَصِ وَالْجُنُونِ وَالْجُذَامِ وَمِنْ سَيِّئِ الأَسْقَامِ
Oh Allah I seek refuge in You from leprosy , going crazy, leucoderma and evil diseases.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِى لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَىْءٌ فِى الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِى السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
In the name of Allah with Whose name there is protection against every kind of harm in the Earth or in the Heavens and He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing.
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
I seek protection with Allah’s perfect words from the evil He created.
- The Muslim must always be content with the Qadr of Allah in what He has ordained to happen.
- The Muslim must always maintain good thoughts about Allah.
- The Muslim should reflect over his sins and shortcomings and take advantage of his good health and whatever remains to repent and prepare to meet his lord.
Prepared by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle Sr.
Doha, Qatar, 1441©
For further reading in depth and detail refer to
بذل الماعون في فضل
الطاعون لابن حجر العسقلاني
[1] ما يفعله الأطباء و الداعون بدفع شر الطاعون , pg 38-39, Imam Maree’ Al-Hanbali
[2] Ibn Majah 4019 graded as being Sahih by Imam Al-Albani in Saheeha # 106
[3] Abu Ya’la #4980 , Hakim 2/136 and graded as being Sahih by Imam Al-Hakim and Imam Ath-Thahabi
[4] Al-Bukhari #2830 and Muslim 5053
[5] Ahmed 16/247 graded as Sahih by Shuaib Arnaut.
[6] Al-Bukhari 3473 , Muslim 5903
[7] Zadul Ma’ad , 4-44-45
[8] Al-Hakim , 1939 graded as being Sahih by Imam Al-Hakim