Prophet Muhamad advocated physical distancing during a pandemic

14 centuries ago

by Dr. M. Haris Z Deen

Tomorrow (Friday) the 12th of the Lunar month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, Muslims all over the world will be remembering the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace and blessings of God), it would be most relevant to remember what he advocated during a pandemic, like COVID-19 which the whole world is experiencing at this very moment in time.

When reflecting on the holy Prophet’s (PBUH), teachings it will be evident that Islam considers the life of all human beings as the most precious gift of God to be protected in all circumstance, thus the rationale of prohibition of suicide.

In this context, the Prophet of Islam strongly advised not only social but territorial distancing during a pandemic.

In a Hadith narrated by Abdurrahman bin Awf (May Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet (on whom be peace) is reported to have said “If you hear about an outbreak of plague in a land, do not go to it; but if the plague breaks out in a country where you are staying, do not run away from it” – (Sahih Al Bukhari). This Hadith supports the travel restrictions and quarantine impositions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) even went to the extent of commanding the faithful to conduct their obligatory prayers at home during such a period of emergency rather than congregating in mosques. This is confirmed by a narration by Nafi’ (may Allah ne pleased with him) that “Allah’s Messenger used to tell the Mueazzin to pronounce the Azaan and say, Al Salat Fi Buyoothikum (pray in your homes) in place of “Hayya’las Salah” (come for prayer) not only during a plague but also on rainy or very cold winter nights) – (Sahih Al Bukhari).

Thus, it can be seen that the Prophet of Islam’s teachings are practical and easily applicable in the face of prosperity or adversity. In this respect many non-Muslim thinkers have expressed that Muhammad’s teaching surpasses all others in respect of being applicable to all situations.

Sir George Bernard Shaw asserts:” I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capability to the changing phases of existence which can make itself appeal to everyone”. …. I have studied him -the wonderful man, and in my opinion, …, he must be called the saviour of humanity.” (1936 – The Genuine Islam Vol. 1 – No.8).

Bernard Shaw confirms inter alia that “Islam is the only religion which appears to possess that assimilating capability of the changing phases of existence which can make itself appeal to everyone”. By this dynamism, he concludes that the Prophet of Islam would succeed in solving the problems of the world in a way that would bring the much-needed peace and happiness.

It would be futile to write a piece remembering the birth of the Prophet without expressing some thoughts from the Quran and Ahadith on his life.

Muhammad In the Quran

God has put emphasis on the ordinary human nature of the prophet in the Qur’an thus “Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: Many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will you then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those (who serve him) with gratitude”. (3:144).

And God commands his Messenger to declare his mission thus “Say; O’ men! I am sent unto you all as the Messenger of Allah to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; there is no god but He; it is He that gives both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, The unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His Words. Follow him that you may be guided”. (7:158).

God continues further in Chapter 6 verse 50: “Say I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, Nor do I know what is hidden, nor do I tell you I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me…” and continues further thus: “Not for you, (but for Allah), is the decision: Whether he turn in mercy to them, or punish them, for they are indeed wrong doers”. (3:128).

The holy Prophet’s whole life had been based on establishing this doctrine of “Tawheed” one-ness and omnipotence of God and he ensured that all his companions adhered to this tenet at all times. This was beautifully demonstrated in the historic speech that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) made when announcing the demise of the Prophet at the time even Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was sceptical and drew his sword to slay anyone who said that the prophet was dead. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was not to make a speech of praise of the Prophet (On whom be Peace) the first thing he wanted to do was to squash any belief that the Prophet was none other than a human being as reported by Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with her) as follows:

“Allah’s Apostle died while Abu Bakr was at a place called As-Sunah (Al-‘Aliya) ‘Umar stood up and said, “By Allah! Allah’s Apostle is not dead!” ‘Umar (later on) said, “By Allah! Nothing occurred to my mind except that.” He said, “Verily! Allah will resurrect him and he will cut the hands and legs of some men.” Then Abu Bakr came and uncovered the face of Allah’s Apostle, kissed him and said, “Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Allah’s Apostle), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice.” Then he went out and said, “O oath-taker! Don’t be hasty.” When Abu Bakr spoke, ‘Umar sat down. Abu Bakr praised and glorified Allah and said, No doubt! Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die.”

Then he recited Allah’s Statement.:– “(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die.” (39.30) He also recited:–

“Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies Or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back On his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful.” (3.144)

Bukhari Book 5 vol 57 Hadith 19

And on accepting his appointment as the first Caliph of Islam Abu Bakr made this beautiful speech

“O people, I have been appointed over you, though I am not the best among you. If I do well, then help me; and if I act wrongly, then correct me. Truthfulness is synonymous with fulfilling the trust, and lying is equivalent to treachery. The weak among you is deemed strong by me, until I return to them that which is rightfully theirs, Ins Sha Allah. And the strong among you is deemed weak by me, until I take from them what is rightfully (someone else’s), insha Allah. No group of people abandons military/armed struggle in the path of Allah, except that Allah makes them suffer humiliation. And evil / mischief does not become widespread among a people, except that Allah inflicts them with widespread calamity. Obey me so long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. And if I disobey Allah and His Messenger, then I have no right to your obedience. Stand up now to pray, may Allah have mercy on you” [Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah (6/305,306)]

In conclusion I cite a quotation from the book “Historie de la Turqui” – 1854 – Paris by philosopher Alphonse de LaMartaine as follows:

….  “If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws, and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples, dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls. On the basis of a Book, every letter which has become law, he created a spiritual nationality which blended together peoples of every tongue and race. He has left the indelible characteristic of this Muslim nationality the hatred of false gods and the passion for the One and Immaterial God. This avenging patriotism against the profanation of Heaven formed the virtue of the followers of Muhammad; the conquest of one-third the earth to the dogma was his miracle; or rather it was not the miracle of man but that of reason. The idea of the unity of God, proclaimed amidst the exhaustion of the fabulous theologies, was in itself such a miracle that upon it’s utterance from his lips it destroyed all the ancient temples of idols and set on fire one-third of the world. His life, his meditations, his heroic revelling against the superstitions of his country, and his boldness in defying the furies of idolatry, his firmness in enduring them for fifteen years in Mecca, his acceptance of the role of public scorn and almost of being a victim of his fellow countrymen. This dogma was twofold, the unity of God and the immateriality of God: the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not; the one overthrowing false gods with the sword, the other starting an idea with words. Philosopher, orator, Apostle, legislator, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational beliefs, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?”

May the choicest blessings be showered upon Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all his dutiful followers.

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