The COVID-19 continues to draw the world into the dark abyss of aversion and desolation. In such times of despair, Muslims should learn how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would have dealt with such a pandemic if it were in his time. There is no doubt about the fact that the life of Allah’s messenger is truly an embodiment of seclusion and cogency. Connecting the dots, the patterns in his life to deal with such a crisis are quite ideal for us, now.
Owing to Pakistan’s latest statistics, the Coronavirus pandemic has so far over 1800 confirmed cases, with 25 deaths, and 58 recoveries.
Discourse
Even though Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not face any pandemic such as the current one in his life, yet he was never late to act in troublesome conditions.
- Advising people to offer their Friday prayers at home during the rain
- During a plague, he asked people to quarantine them
- Maintain social distancing by not visiting or leaving the area
- Ensuring that during a time of social distancing, the authority uses its resources to take care of the basic needs of people
- Opening the state treasury for the poor, while appealing people to donate generously
- Starting a soup kitchen to feed those who were unable to take care of them
- Appointing a team of volunteers to ensure that the necessities of life reach the people in time
- Admonishing traders and merchants not to hoard and not to price gouge during any crisis
- Urging people to consult medical experts to treat the disease
- Counseling people to follow hygienic rules in their everyday life. He did not limit them to wash their hands five times a day during the ablution but suggested total physical cleanliness
- Guiding people not to throw the garbage in public places and dispose of it in safe places
Image: Arabnewspk
Purity of life
“No, indeed, We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life, and favored them far above most of Our creation.” (Quran 17:70).
Based on the above verse, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always encouraged Muslims to observe preventive measures, to boost their immunity.
In cases of any contagious disease, he always instructed Allah’s followers to isolate the patient. And in case of death, he encouraged to perform the burial rites as soon as possible. It is known that during emergencies such as war, he buried many of the deceased without a proper shroud and washing.
Remembering Allah
Nevertheless, the Holy Quran says, “Those who believe, and whose hearts find their rest in the remembrance of God – for, surely, in the listening to God (human) hearts do find their rest.” (Quran 13:28)
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always heeded importance on:
- Raising a responsible family that is a source of continuous good for all
- Contributing to the existing knowledge to benefit humanity
- Leaving a charity behind to help the needy and the poor
Image: Aljazeera
Faith in divine laws
Through the teachings of the Holy Quran, Allah’s messenger fortified the belief of people in Allah during times of plague and crisis. From his life, we achieve the physical, social and spiritual leadership based on divine guidance, common sense and the best opinion.
The coronavirus is not the first or the last pandemic that the world is facing. However, history portrays that Muslims have always faced challenges with their trust in the almighty Allah and guidance from the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We all will be able to pass through the current crisis as well if only we stick to the teachings of Islam and the sayings of Allah’s messenger.
What do you think of this story? Tell us in the comment section below.
