THE VIRUS….
MUSLIMS AND YAQEEN
Hadhrat Aisha (radhiallahu anha) reported: She asked Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) about plagues and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “It is a punishment that Allah sends upon whoever He wills, but Allah has made it a mercy for the believers. Any servant who resides in a land afflicted by plague, remaining patient and hoping for reward from Allah, knowing that nothing will befall him but what Allah has decreed, he will be given the reward of a martyr.” [Saheeh Bukhari]
Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) 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.“
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) said: “Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) turned to us and said: ‘O Muhajirun, there are five things with which you will be tested, and I seek refuge with Allah lest you live to see them: Immorality never appears among a people to such an extent that they commit it openly, but plagues and diseases that were never known among the predecessors will spread among them. …….’” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Plagues or ‘viruses’ as we call them nowadays have been existent since the dawn of mankind. As Muslims, we believe and accept it to be from Allah Rabbul Izzat. This very belief of ours, coupled with patience, guarantees the death of a martyr to those who die of the virus. The rank and status of a martyr is something known to every Muslim. Every sin and transgression of a martyr, besides his debts, are forgiven and he is guaranteed an abode in Jannat.
CLEANLINESS AND MUSLIMS
This new virus has created panic amongst the masses and the common mantra amongst the non-Muslims is the washing of hands and cleanliness. Islam IS cleanliness. Our Allah LOVES cleanliness. Muslims wash their hands, not once, but multiple times during every single day. Islamic teaches us to wash hands during wudhu, when eating, after eating, etc. In fact, Salaat, which is the highest form of Ibaadat is incomplete, nay invalid, if the hands are not washed. Islam teaches us to remain in the perpetual state of wudhu, hence a true believer washes his/her hands more than just five times a day for the Salaat. Islam, unlike all other creeds, even teaches the washing of the private parts in the toilet! Why do we Muslims need to panic?? According to the Hadith, cleanliness is a PART of Imaan. But alas! We see many ‘Muslims’ today and also ‘ulama’ who have lost all bearings. A true believer, who is punctual with Salaat, cleanliness and the Sunnah, has nothing to be concerned about!
CLOSING THE MUSAAJID FOR FEAR OF VIRUS??
We are truly sad to see this international panic now surface on our doorstep. As Muslims, we believe that EVERYTHING originates from Allah Ta`ala. Life and death – like everything else – are pre-destined and ONLY in the control of Allah Rabbul Izzat. Whenever a calamity or natural disaster occurred, our Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) HASTENED to the Musjid. Alas! Our pseudo-Muslims are advocating the EXACT opposite. We say this with firm conviction, such people are NOT Muslim. They have been turned deaf, dumb and blind by their non-Muslim counterparts.
At this ‘trying’ time, we should be spending MORE time in the Musjid, and they advocate shorter Salaats….Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioon! THE HYPOCRITES!!!
At a time like this we should be performing more Nawaafil and dua in the Musaajid, as demonstrated by the actions of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and not cowering in our homes.
A Muslim who does not believe that if Allah Ta`ala wishes, he/she will get the virus regardless of where or what they are doing, then they have lost their Imaani bearing. Islam does not teach us to cower in our homes when there is an outbreak of plague! Besides, this virus is not always life-threatening!
Does Allah Ta`ala not categorically tell us in the Qur`aan Majeed, “Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction.”
Some Musaajid have closed their doors totally. Others advocate shorter Qiraat for Fardh Salaat – what stupidity and short-sightedness! If Allah Ta`ala wills He can spread the virus in ONE second, or if He wills He can prevent its spread even if 99% of the congregants are already infected.
Many advocate performance of Sunan and Nawaafil at home. How is this logical??? On which planet does this make sense? The Fardh Salaat is performed with Musallis in close proximity to each other. The Sunan are performed with everyone scattered!
How many of these Musallis will actually go home to perform the remaining Rakaats, anyway? These very same people will leave the Musjid and go to their work-places or shopping malls, where they will then be more comfortable to mingle and fraternise with inherently najis people!!!
All those stupid guidelines being circulated by Musaajid Committees and so-called ‘ulama’ Organisations pertaining to this virus, only demonstrate their total lack of Imaan and Yaqeen. Some of the points raised by them are actually the teachings of the Sunnah which should be taught on a daily basis, whilst other inane points indicate the kufr that lurk in their pitiful hearts!
O MUSLIMS! DO NOT FEAR THE MUSAAJID OR YOUR CONGREGATIONAL SALAAT. Fear Allah Ta`ala! Turn to Him. Change your wayward lifestyles and men should HASTEN to the Musaajid to seek His forgiveness and beg for Clemency! Abandon all forms of immorality and HE will curb the spread!
MUSLIMS – ESPECIALLY ULAMA – SHOULD APPLY THEIR AQL
Based on the Hadith cited at the beginning of this article, this virus is a calamity for the non-Muslims but a mercy to Muslims. We need to believe that and accept the blessed words of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). A Muslim uses his/her aql (intelligence) when approaching any issue. Performing Salaat in Congregation is WAAJIB. Abandoning this obligatory duty for an imagined fear of being infected is an insult to any intelligence. Yes, we do not advocate carelessness with regard to personal hygiene, but at the same time, we should not abandon our integral Deeni teachings for an imagined fear of contracting a virus. If we apply and adhere to the Sunnah practices, Allah Ta`ala will protect us. If there are others who do not adhere to the codes of cleanliness when coming to the Musjid, that should not prevent attendance for the rest. Just like any driver is careful on the road and he does not abandon driving altogether due to the carelessness of others who may be the cause of accidents, so too should we not abandon and desert the Musaajid out of fear that others are careless of personal hygiene.
This virus is a wake-up call to Muslims and non-Muslims alike to their irreligious and immoral lives. For the non-Muslims it is a calamity, hence their pandemonium and panic! As Muslims, we should use this to turn our gazes to pleasing Allah Rabbul Izzat, and not run away from Him and His Mercy. The Musaajid are the Abodes of Refuge for the Believers. Anyone can get the virus even if they remain completely isolated in the most hygienic of forts. When Allah Ta`ala is the initiator and Curer of this virus, do you, O Muslim, think yourself safer in your own home or at His House? Can you run from Allah Ta`ala???
Obey His Commands, follow the Sunnah lifestyle, and repose your Trust in Him. He will come to your aid. If you are destined to contract the virus, rest assured, He will cure you, or you will have earned yourself amongst the highest abodes in Jannat.
The Jaame Musjid in Mayfair, Johannesburg, has been closed for Salaat indefinitely. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioon!! Thousands of people perform their daily Salaat there. What excuse will the miserable trustees and Imaams of these Musaajid give to Allah Ta`ala for preventing people entrance into the Musjid? They have closed the Musjid doors purely out of an imagined fear, and nothing else. How true are the words of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) when he prophesied the Muslims would one day become more decrepit and worthless than the scum of floodwaters!
Allah Ta`ala states in the Qur`aan Majeed, “And who is more oppressive than those who prevent the Name of Allah being mentioned in His Musaajid and strive for their ruin.”
Whilst this Aayat was revealed regarding the Christians and Jews, it unfortunately applies today to ‘muslims’. Preventing people access into the Musaajid to perform Salaat in Jamaat, due to an imagined fear, is indeed most oppressive.
This virus does NOT excuse the old and feeble from attending the Musjid. Congregational Salaat is Waajib on an old man just as it is for the young. Understandably, if a person is confirmed positive with the virus then he should remain indoors. Such a person will be excused. People get the common cold and flu all the time. Every single day, someone has a flu, cold, cough or fever. Many of them go to work and do shopping, why can’t they attend the Musjid?
The Hadith is explicit with regard to contagion. Nabi (sallalallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “There is no ‘adwaa [contagion, transmission of infectious disease without the permission of Allah Ta`ala]….” Muslims firmly believe that diseases only spread by the WILL of Allah Ta`ala and NOTHING else!!! If a person knows he is seriously ill, he should remain indoors. If a person is mildly ill, he must still attend the Musjid.
Many ignoramuses use the Hadith allowing for people to perform Salaat at home when there is excessive rain as a proof for not attending the Musjid due to this virus. This is wholly misleading. During the time of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), the roads were very unlike ours. The roads would become muddy, making traversing them extremely difficult. Also, the Musaajid were not as ‘waterproof’ as ours are today. We experience countless severe storms throughout the year, but never has there been an open call for people to remain home. Nowadays we have cars, wear boots, raincoats, umbrellas, etc. that shield us from the rain. Yes, if the road to a Musjid is flooded and one cannot get there by car or walking, then there would be consent to perform Salaat at home.
Viruses and sickness abound everywhere, yet people still continue leading normal lives. Even with this new virus, people still go to work, shopping, etc. Why are they discouraged from coming to the Musjid? Musaajid have carpets. Of what use is it to ask them to bring their own musallas? Could it not be that people bring more bacteria or dirt into the Musjid if their musallas are contaminated?
Where is your Aql, O Muslim?
Alcohol is Haraam and Najis (impure). How can a Muslim believe he/she is purifying himself/herself with the use of a filthy napaak alcohol-based ‘sanitiser’? The virus is not najis per se, the alcohol ‘sanitiser’ is. So, people are encouraged to use something napaak to avoid something that is not?
Apply your Aql, O Muslim!
FEAR ALLAH RABBUL IZZAT AND NOT HIS VIRUS!
The hadith clearly prophesises the COVID-19 and other such new viruses. The rule of “Tying your camel”, thereby advocating abstention from the Musaajid, does NOT apply here to the virus. There are countless other viruses and bacteria that are life-threatening that perpetually exist. Does this mean we close all our Musaajid every single day??? The Ahaadith gives clear guidelines for such cases. If we fear the existence of the virus in our country, then we should remain here. If you fear that others in your locality have the virus, then don’t run away from them. Have faith in Allah Ta`ala and ask Him to safeguard you. Avoiding the Musaajid (applicable to men), will not protect you from the virus. Taqdeer is unescapable. On the contrary, avoiding the Musaajid and sacrificing the proper rights and performance of Salaat (by shortening the Qiraat and preventing people from coming altogether) will hasten the Punishment of Allah Ta`ala.
This is a test from our Creator. TURN TO HIM, FREQUENT HIS HOUSES AND DO NOT RUN AWAY FROM HIM!!!!
May Allah Ta`ala protect and safeguard us all and may He allow sanity to prevail.
21st Rajab 1441 (16th March 2020) “Clear propagation is our ONLY responsibility”