- Hand sanitizers and congregations allowed in the clergy
By: Asad Iqabal
The coronavirus is the threat that has taken over the world by surprise. It is a pandemic of unprecedented proportions, incomparable to anything witnessed by humans living today. Even the most technologically advanced nations are facing a hard time controlling its exponential spread. In such a scenario, Pakistan needs to be extra cautious given its under developed public health system and vulnerable population. Consequently, the government has moved to control the spread of this disease.
A number of precautionary measures have been suggested by the government following which can be beneficial to the people. However, the religious clergy, as always, had to interject in an area where their input was least required. An analysis of their role during this pandemic paints a very good picture of the clergy’s power to influence the common man of this country.
When the virus surfaced, people were instructed to avoid physical contact. They were advised to not shake hands while greeting each other. The religious clergy claimed that no virus could harm people who followed the sunnah of shaking hands. Any precautionary measure was termed, by a certain section, as being a sign of weak faith. Life and death, people were told, occurred due to divine orders and humans have no control over it. Then there were voices calling to avoid the use sanitizers as they contained alcohol. Recently, when a lockdown was announced in the country, voices called for offering daily prayers at home instead of in the mosque. It was feared that virus would spread quickly in congregation. However, the majority of religious leaders believed that congregational prayers could not be suspended. Scenes emerged where people were seen praying in congregation outside closed mosques.
All this created a hurdle in the government’s efforts to control the spread of this virus. This led to an alternate interpretation of these religious commandments to surface, albeit it was a minority viewpoint. This viewpoint needs to be highlighted to convince people to adopt these precautionary measures.
The government is doing its part. It is for the common man to help the government by following the guidelines issued. After all it is for the benefit of the common man that all these steps are being taken. It is only with caution that the threat of the coronavirus pandemic can be defeated
The sayings of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) are a valuable guideline in promoting these measures. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: A sick person should not be taken to one who is healthy (Sahih Muslim 5791). This saying encourages the avoiding of intermingling with suspected patients, that is, it advises quarantine. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) also instructed people to avoid travelling when there is an outbreak of a disease. (Sahih Bukari, 5728).
Regarding the use of sanitizers, it was clarified that alcohol is only prohibited as far as its oral consumption is concerned; and it can be used for any other purpose. This can be explained from an event in the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) when a dead goat was found. No one would touch it as dead meat was declared haram (prohibited). The prophet clarified that only eating the meat is haram (prohibited) and its skin could be utilized. Hence, there is a need to understand the context of the commandments. Sanitizers contain alcohol to kill the germs and would not fall under the category of haram.
The main issue however remains the offering of congregational prayers. In this regard, Sunnah is a useful guide again. During the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), a situation arose where there was heavy rainfall. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had it announced in Azaan that prayers should be offered at home. The situation today is far worse where there is a danger to people’s life. It is widely known that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked people to not come to mosque when they had consumed food that caused a pungent smell (like onions) so that it would not cause distress to people. How could he then allow people to come to mosque when they could be potential carriers of a disease or at risk of being infected by others?
When the two holiest sites in Islam can be closed due to such a big threat, it is only natural that mosques in the country should also be cordoned off. Islam is indeed a flexible religion and it would be virtuous to care for other people while offering the obligatory prayers. Although measures have been taken where carpets have been removed and mosques are washed after every prayer, these are extraordinary times and one has to do the maximum to face the current challenge.
The government is doing its part. It is for the common man to help the government by following the guidelines issued. After all it is for the benefit of the common man that all these steps are being taken. It is only with caution that the threat of the coronavirus pandemic can be defeated.
