Covid-19 and Civic Duties

On Illnesses & Prevention

Does protecting oneself from such viruses and diseases such as Covid-19, Chikungunya, H1N1, and avian flu etc., fit into the logic of prevention in Islam? 

Prevention does exist in the Shariah, and it seems even more: it is a religious principle. Imam Bukhari (ra) tells a story from the time of Caliph Umar (ra), perfectly illustrating the prophet’s (pbuh) guidelines for the prevention of pandemics and diseases in general. 

Hazrat Umar (ra) was heading towards the land of Sham with a group of Muslims to inspect the situation in the country: arriving near Sargh, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah Aamir Ibn Al-Jarrah (ra) informed him that the plague was raging in these lands. Hazrat Umar (ra) consulted with the Muhajireen, and subsequently the Ansar, who were torn between the desire to continue the journey, and to avoid entering an infected region. Other companions, of the tribe of Quraish, who had made the Hijrat after the conquest of Mecca, unanimously said: “We think it is better to turn around, and that you do not expose the Muslims to this disease.”

Covid-19 & Hygiene

The outbreak of the Coronavirus over the last year or so, and its devastating impact on people around the world, is a powerful reminder on the dire state of our world. In his Friday Sermon of 12 March 2021~28 Rajab 1442 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius speaks about the Covid- 19 situation in  the country and beyond. At many different levels, the Coronavirus outbreak is a remarkable metaphor for the hidden realities and silent forces that exist and which can make or break the fate and future of man in this world with the Will and decision of God. As the world is seeking to cope with the new situation by turning to available medicines and emerging vaccines, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) underscores the need for everyone to turn to the true Master and Lord of the Universe who alone is the Healer and the Cure. It is in abiding by the true and enduring values of life taught by God through His Prophets that humans can find real protection and security from the afflictions of our times. In this context, Hazrat Saheb (aba) explains the sacred traditions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) concerning the significance of health and hygiene- the need for keeping away from harmful substances and the circle of evil and also the benefits of remaining in a state of inner and outer purity for secular and spiritual well being.   

Read the Friday Sermon Below:

Everyone knows very well how the coronavirus has wreaked havoc in every country in the world where there have been more than two million deaths and millions and millions who are contaminated with the virus. The economies of many countries are on their knees; even the countries that claim to be super-powered cannot do anything. With Covid-19, countries are deserted, confined. During containment, everyone except essential services like the police, pharmacies, hospitals remain open to help the people of their respective countries, to maintain order and to treat the sick. These confinement times are essential in order not to spread the virus and to better detect those who are suffering from it. During confinement, the borders are closed. All shops, supermarkets, markets etc. are closed except under special conditions. Everyone stays at home and takes precautions, wears masks and unfortunately many people are also losing their jobs. The situation is certainly critical.   

Last week, when starting the first part of my sermon on the signs of Allah, the hypocrites and infidels, as well as interest (Riba), Covid-19 and a call for unity, I did not know what which would follow. [Huzur said that every time before he prepares his sermon, he always seek divine help on which subject to address and Allah even inspired him to talk on this subject by directing him to the verse 27 of the Chapter 2 – Al-Baqara, which he began expounding since last week.] That same day [05 March 2021], our small Mauritius contracted a new local case of Covid-19, and from Wednesday 10^th of March, a national containment was implemented to thwart the virus. And today is the 12^th of March, and it’s Independence Day of our little island [53 years of Independence and 29 years of Republic], and today, officially speaking, we have 99 local cases of Covid-19. So, all of us as one people, one nation, we must be united and do all we can within our very limited means to keep ourselves and our neighbours and the citizens of our country safe from this virus and its spread. If this situation continues in this way, it is quite possible that there will be a State of Emergency in Mauritius where no one will have the right to circulate and this would be for the well-being of the population in order to protect those who are not infected by this virus from those who are infected with it. The regions of the Central Plateau such as Vacoas, Phoenix, Curepipe, etc. have become Red Zones because there are more cases of Covid-19 there.  

[More than once during the course of his sermon, Huzur (atba) warned the believers, the people of Mauritius and whole humanity to return to the worship of the sole Creator of the Heavens and Earth and to maintain distance with the satans of this world and all satanic attractions just like one is maintaining social distancing with others in order not to contract the virus. He said, beware lest another virus, more virulent and deadly than the Covid-19 appears, and will be so dangerous that one would not even have time to go in Quarantine.]

Covid-19: An Appeal & A Warning

In recent days, I invoked Allah (in Doas) and thinking about the pandemic Covid-19, a subject that made the news in Mauritius and also across the world. In all countries of the world, whether in big countries and even the islands, the Covid-19 has wreaked havoc. When I thought of this virus [Covid-19] and how many millions of people have lost their lives and how many millions and millions of people have been infected with the Covid-19 pandemic; immediately Allah (swt) revealed a Quranic verse to me. Listen to its contents carefully and you will understand why I have chosen as the subject of my Friday sermon today to elaborate around this verse from the Quran. 

Allah revealed to me this verse which is found in Surah Al-Baqara, where He says: “Surely Allah does not shy away from using the parable of a small beast [insect/ mosquito/ gnat] or what is even smaller. As for the believers, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. And as for the disbelievers, they argue, “What does Allah mean by such a parable?” Through this ˹test˺, He leaves many to stray, and guides many. And He leaves none to stray except the rebellious.” (Al-Baqara 2: 27) 

To fully understand the meaning of these verses, we must know under what circumstances they were revealed… After the emigration (Hijrat) of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to Medina, a new group was formed among the population, alongside the Muslims and Jews: The Munafiqun (hypocrites). The latter were basically troublemakers, true disbelievers, dangerous and wicked; nevertheless, outwardly they showed their belongingness to Islam and this mainly with the aim of satisfying some of their material interests.

Reformation & The Da’ee Illallah

Serve the cause of Allah and the cause of mankind. Invite people around you to Allah. Follow Abraham’s example - how he gave life to the “dead/ those who are dying”. Be kind to people, help them with their needs and share their misfortunes; this is the best way to become a Da’ee Illallah. 

“And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead,’ He said, ‘Do you not believe, then?’ ‘Yes,’ said Abraham, ‘but just to put my heart at rest.’ So God said, ‘Take four birds and train them to come back to you. Then place them on separate hilltops, call them back, and they will come flying to you: know that God is all powerful and wise’.” (Al-Baqara 2: 261) 

The term “Dawat Illallah” or “Da’ee Illallah” means “The call of men to Allah.” I have chosen this theme once again as the subject of my sermon so that you can fully understand how people can be called “to life” and how as a SAHIH AL ISLAM who is aware of his responsibilities, you must put yourselves at the service of Allah, and at the same time of that of humanity by inviting men [people] to our Creator. 

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And as for those who strive for Our cause, We will guide them on Our paths.” (Al-Ankabut 29: 70) 

The Promise on 'Khilafat-e-Ruhani'

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908 AD),  founder of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, left behind a treasure trove of illuminating spiritual writings, explaining subtle and abstruse points of religious philosophy and practical wisdom useful in our quest for clear guidance on the Divine Way. It is important to revisit and re-read his profound and timeless writings every now and then, to gain a sense of true perspective on the extraordinary nature of the spiritual claims and Divine messages he left behind for the benefit of posterity. Perhaps even more importantly, returning to the original writings of the Promised Messiah (as) and studying them carefully can shake up the cobwebs of later theological 'engineering' and doctrinal confusion created in the minds of common Ahmadis by the administrative establishment- Nizam-e-Jamaat- to perpetuate their own control and authority. Due to the long-standing brainwashing by the Ahmadiyya establishment, the common folks have no idea how they have been transformed into devotees of the Nizam even without they realizing it! 

Indeed, ours is an age in which most Ahmadis have forgotten their own true spiritual moorings. In any case, most people have a blurred and twisted understanding on the basics of their community's true beliefs or their deep roots in Islamic spiritual expectations.  Unfortunately for them, the devotees are not allowed to use their own God-gifted intelligence and reasoning power to investigate and understand the inner world of Islamic spirituality. People remain content with the received notions from their elders- what they have inherited from their fathers and leaders within the Nizam-e- Jamaat. As a consequence, a generation is growing up in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya who cannot frame relevant spiritual questions for themselves, nor explain where the Promised Messiah (as) stood on the question of enduring Divine Guidance and spiritual leadership ('Khilafat-e-Ruhani'). 

Contrary to the myth-making within the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, the Promised Messiah (as) did not believe that Revelation-based Khilafat has come to an end with him, and that henceforth, only men-elected caliphs will be the leaders of the Ummah, NO! The Promised Messiah (as) claimed that he came as a Khalifatullah  (Vicegerent of God) and with the title of a 'Nabi' in the Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya, and that there could be many other individuals like him in future as well. 

The Holy Qur'an and Politics

As a God-centric Text, the Qur'an has a profound ethical vision that appeals to our individual and collective conscience to be good and do good in all phases of life. Indeed, historically speaking, the Qur'an brought about transformational change in the fortunes of a people by virtue of the strength of its moral and philosophical framework. Despite all the provocations and problems that the early Muslim community faced in standing up for freedom of conscience, and of religion within a pagan social framework; the Qur'an does not lapse into any strategies of coercion or intimidation in service of its religious outlook. In his Friday Sermon of 12 February 2021~29 Jamadi’ul Aakhir 1442 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius explains the fatal mistakes made by the Mawdudians in seeking to deploy the Holy Text as a weapon of choice in the pursuit of capturing elusive State power. 

Elaborating on Qur'anic verses and Prophetic practice, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) points out that in the complex backdrop of a repressive society, Islam stood up for freedom of conscience in matters of religion- investing in the power of persuasion, not of force or compulsion. The nascent Muslim State's attempts at sovereign regulations on various matters cannot be confused with, and needs to be seen in isolation from the spiritual domain of Islam as a religious order. Any attempt at reading Qur'an as a mere  instrument of power politics- to be deployed in the campaign for seizing power at all costs- will corrode the very spirit and substance of the spiritual framework of Islam, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba) in the discourse.  The Friday sermon also shares recent Divine revelations received by Hazrat Saheb (aba).

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

 

According to a Hadith, Allah can make things happen through politics that cannot be accomplished by the Holy Quran alone. This prompts some Muslims to argue that the first goal of the Ummah must be secular seizure of power. [According to them] It is only then that the teachings of the Holy Quran can be applied.

It is the Mawdudis who support this point of view. It has absolutely nothing to do with the practice of the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Indeed, contrary to what is advanced, by the authority of Allah he (pbuh) had established the Holy Quran first; long before he came to political power. The teachings were observed [implemented / practiced] even though the political powers of the time opposed them [ie, against the Quranic teachings].

 

In light of what I have just said, the Hadith in question is in contradiction with the established practice of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). It is, on the other hand, with the verse of the Holy Quran which states - No compulsion in religion. Faith cannot be established by using coercive force; to force someone to believe [to have faith]. Several verses of the Holy Quran are clear on this.

The Spiritual Renewal of Muslims

The Cure of the Hour 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Verily, Allah will send for this Ummah (Community) at the beginning of every century a person who will renew (reform and renovate) for it the Deen (i.e. Islam – the perfect way of life).”

 

The condition of the Muslim Ummah at all levels and in all spheres of life is gloomy, pitiful and deplorable. The Ummah is grounded in the quagmire of decadence. Its state of dishonourable existence is indeed heart-wrenching to those who understand the value of Islam and the true position of the followers of Islam. The way of life of the Ummah in present times and the Islam handed down by Muhammad Al-Rassullullah (pbuh) more than fourteen centuries ago are entities widely divergent and poles apart. There is extremely little affinity between the present Ummah and the Islam of the Sahaba of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).

 

Spiritually, morally, culturally, socially and politically, the Muslim nation has fallen to the lowest position. The Muslim Nation is bankrupt in all spheres of its life in relation to Islam. Muslims are in name only. Nothing in their behaviour or clothing reflects the true Islam.

 

Even if they do put on Islamic clothes, covering them, yet their behaviour is not that of Islam, of true Muslims. Be it the men or the women, they have drifted far away from the essence of what Islam stands for and preaches. Islam has become a farce for them, something to be discarded in favour of a westernised way of life. The prayers of the Muslims have now become hollow, without the essence of the true faith which drove the first Muslims to the glory and victory of Islam. Today’s Muslims have let themselves be trapped by the infidels who strive to divide the Muslims in order to better enslave them by giving them the lollypop which shall bring them to destruction. They have let themselves be tempted by this world and all that it contains. The attractions of this world have made them forget Allah. Power, money and a rich life in the luxuries of this world have blinded them. They have become corrupted, or are on the road to corruption. The Muslims are now behaving like the non-Muslims and following them in their creed without even realising it. Even though Allah may be invoked on the lips, but a hundred gods are hijacking their souls and concentration on the true God, i.e. Allah. They have Allah and His Rassool, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) on the lips, yet they discard the teachings which God Almighty and His Prophet (pbuh) have told them to do and those things which they have forbidden the Muslims to do. This is indeed very sad.