N1H1 Virus: Muslim Perspective 

Contagious diseases, viruses or epidemics such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that brings great fear in Toronto, in particular and in Canada and the world, in general. Especially with new recent studies suggesting that SARS like viruses can be spread through the air, and not just by human contact.

Is it a natural epidemic? Is it bio-terrorism? Are the elite trying to control the masses and population of the world?  Everyone has a question, thought, opinion or statement regarding this. Muslims wonder how do we deal with viruses of this nature on an Islamic perspective? What has the Holy Quran and the Sunnah declared pertaining this?

Decision of Almighty Allah

Firstly, we should understand that whatever happens in this universe is a decision and decree of Allah, Himself . Nothing around the globe occurs or takes place beyond the command and knowledge of Allah, the Almighty.  This is why it is necessary that what ever sickness, disease, hardship, difficulty comes upon the believer, he or she realizes that, it is, in reality the qadr (fate & decree) from Allah. Allah sends these type of adverse conditions to test mankind and places them through trials. Now the ball is in ones court,  to take this trial with sabr and patience or to do the opposite. The Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H.) says in a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a.):

“Clearly understand that whatever (decree) has bypassed you, will not befall upon you  and whatever has befallen upon you will not be bypassed”  (Tirmizhi, Riyadus Saliheen)

Secondly, every believer should understand that Allah is Hakeem (All Wise), thus every action of His is wise, full of knowledge , and complete with no deficiency, whether our limited minds understand or not. Allah does not oppress anyone nor does He desire anything for his servants and creation but goodness.

Adopting means

Thirdly, while a Muslim accepts whatever has been decided by Allah and being pleased with it, the Muslim simultaneously, makes an effort and adopts means to release oneself from adversity, loss and destruction. Allah says most eloquently:

“Do not throw yourselves towards destruction” (Surah Baqarah)

The adopting of means is also a decree of Almighty Allah. For instance, when one falls sick, one should resort to medical treatment understanding that  both the sickness and medical treatment are from the decree of Allah. Just as hunger is a decree of Allah and eating to fulfill the hunger is also a decree of Allah .

Imam Bukhari (r.a.) has recorded an incident of the glorious companions (r.a.) in his book, concerning viruses and epidemics on the authority of Ibn Abbas (r.a.) that Omar bin Khattab (r.a.) at an occasion left traveling towards Syria, when they happened to reach Sargh (a location on the outskirts of Syria), a few leaders, Abu Obaidah (r.a.) and his people met the caravan who informed them of a virus / epidemic that had broken out in Syria. Ibn Abbas (r.a.) says that Omar (r.a.) instructed me, to call the Muhajireen and Ansar so that he may consult them regarding the matter. They had conflicting opinions. Some of them stated that we have left for a purpose thus we should complete it. Others insisted that there are many people whom we have left behind us including the companions of Rasulullah (P.B.U.H.) and there is no need to proceed towards Syria in this epidemic.  Omar (r.a.) then took opinions from others and decided that they should all return back.  When Abu Ubaidah (r.a.) heard this he said to Omar “Are you fleeing from Allah’s decree?” Omar (r.a.) replied by saying “Yes, we are fleeing from a decree of Allah to another decree of Allah.”  He than explained “Look, if you have a camel and you took it to a valley that had a piece of land which was lust and full of greenery alongside another piece of land that was dry and dead, will it not be such that if you graze your camel on the green land, it is by the decree of Allah and if you graze it on the dry land it is also the decree of Allah. In the meantime, Abdur Rahman bin Auf (r.a.) arrived,  who had left for some necessity and said, “I have knowledge with regards to this issue. I have heard the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H.) saying:

“When you hear of a plague or epidemic that it is present on a certain land, than do not travel to that land! And if it breaks out on a land where you happen to be, than do not leave that land fleeing away” (Saheeh Bukhari & Muslim)

We can understand from this hadith that one should take the precautions and adopt means to prevent oneself from being infected and at the same time have firm conviction that whatever will happen is by the decree of Almighty Allah .

A Virtue

Hardships, difficulties and sicknesses in the life of a believer are of virtue to him, as described in various hadith:

Anas (r.a.) says that the Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H.) said “ When Allah decides good for His servant Allah rushes difficulties towards him in this world and when Allah intends bad for a person Allah holds his sin with him so that he may see the complete return (of punishment) on the day of Judgement.” (Tirmizhi)

Jabir (r.a.) reports that the Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H.) came to the company of Ummus Saib (r.a.) and inquired “What has happened to you Oh Ummus Saib , you seem to be trembling?” she replied “ It is the fever, may Allah curse it!” The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) stated “Do not curse or swear at the fever, for verily it removes away the sin of the children of Adam just as the  furnace removes rust off metals” (Saheeh Muslim)

Wisdom of Islamic practices

The medical experts explain that one of the most important precautionary measures to prevent oneself from infectious diseases / viruses is to always wash hands and the face, especially before eating etc. We all, as Muslims know that these are such established sunnahs of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) which have been taught to us over 1425 years ago. This explains our ablution before the prayer, washing hands and staying clean, taharah etc. are not void of benefit but rather full of wisdom. Similarly, every order of Allah and teaching of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) hold unlimited benefits. If only we practice and implement them.

In conclusion, we look at a hadith narrated by Aysha (r.a.) who says that she asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) regarding plagues and viruses. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) explained to her,

“This is a punishment,  Allah sends upon whom so ever He wishes and Allah makes this a mercy for the believers. Thus, there is no servant that experiences an epidemic and stays in his city observing patience, hoping for reward and knowing that nothing can befall upon him, but that which Allah has written for him, will receive the reward similar to a martyr” (Saheeh Bukhari)