We understand that congregational prayers are important, butIslam is a religion of logic. It’s based on reason. At times, we are compelledto change the usual course to adapt to the prevailing situation for the good ofall.
Coronavirus is a deadly pathogen. Its long incubation periodmakes it more fatal. It has proved its severity by causing maximum damage evenin those countries where we have a world-class health care system. Spain atnumber 1 and Italy ranked at number 2 have the most effective health caresystem in the world but still could not prevent from the catastrophe ofCOVID-19. Even in Iran, which according to Bloomberg News has the 30th mostefficient healthcare system in the world has to face a lethal battle againstcoronavirus pandemic. India is ranked at No. 145 in its health care system andthe massive population makes it even more dangerous to contain the virus if itspreads on a big scale. According to experts, 300-500 million cases of COVID-19will emerge by July if India doesn’t act with urgency. It’s a very scarysituation. Please for God sake, don’t take it lightly.
Many medicos have died while combating it in Italy, Chinaand Iran. Videos and images of doctors and paramedical staff crying bitterlywhile treating the COVID-19 infected patients were widely shared on socialmedia platforms and it has really brought tears in our eyes. Even the peopleassociated with health ministry globally were seen breaking down in tears whilegiving pressers on COVID-19.
We need to understand that so far no vaccine or drug hasbeen developed for this pandemic. Scientists and researchers all around theglobe are toiling hard to get to the bottom of it and find its vaccine. Theyare putting their lives at risk for the sake of humanity and we can also do asmall favour to them by following their advice. They are not asking us to cometo their health facilities to cure patients. They are just making a simplerequest by urging us to do self-isolation and social distancing. Now, itbecomes our religious obligation to support their endeavour by doingself-isolation or self-quarantine. This is the only way we can stop the spreadof coronavirus. And if won’t follow the instructions of health experts then we willbe wholly responsible for the destruction of the region.
Respected Ulema, you ask to offer congregational prayers inMasjid while leaving the elderly ailing persons to stay at home. But this virusdoesn’t differentiate between ailing and healthy. It has targeted everyoneincluding the young sports athletes. Even if a single person of any age becomesinfected with this, he or she becomes an imminent cause for massive spread ofvirus particularly in gatherings or congregations. Even if the sermon is forfive minutes, still it is enough for virus to penetrate in our bodies and itdoesn’t care whether we are offering Farz or Sunnat prayers. It can hit usanytime.
Our revered holiest sites in Islam including Masjid-e-Nabvi(SAW) were closed over coronavirus fears in Saudi Arabia. Even the holy shrineswere emptied in Iran just to halt the spread of coronavirus infection.Recently, many people were infected with COVID-19 in Malaysia when theyattended a religious event at a mosque gathering. It could have been avoided ifthey would have followed the health advisories about COVID-19 pandemic.
Dear Ulema, we can use this self-isolation time in a betterway also. As you always advise us to disassociate ourselves from thismaterialistic world for our spirituality to groom, COVID-19 has provided us abetter opportunity to accomplish it. Your lectures on morality and ethics arestill needed and you can still deliver it through the social media platforms asthe internet speed is comparatively better now. We still urge authorities toincrease the speed further so that it becomes easy for you to share yourlectures with us. Moreover, your services are much needed now as you can guideus how to help those impoverished people who are suffering from this necessarylockdown. These days people with sound resources can help those who survive ondaily earnings. This is the best time to show our compassion and kindnesstowards poverty-stricken people.
Our small contribution of social distancing andself-isolation can make a big impact. Coronavirus won’t last long. It willperish after its spell.