URDU 1 SHARIAH GUIDELINES DURING PANDEMICS: TENETS AND PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE

وبائی صورت حال سے نمٹنے کے لیے دین اسلام کی نظریاتی تعلیمات اور عملی ہدایات

Abstract

Humanity, since its first steps down on earth, has been coping with myriad  of infectious diseases, some of which are termed epidemics for their wide and rapid spread while some others pandemics for their threatening effects all over the world. The number of people having fallen prey to these infections counts in millions. From the likes of cholera, influenza, typhus, smallpox, measles, HIV/AIDS to the current Covid-19 outbreak, mankind has been busy digging out to get medical remedies, endeavoring to find drugs and working to discover proper medications to contain the epidemics’ spread and mortality. All the efforts made in this regard are commendable and must be applauded. From a Muslim perspective however, the question arises, what does Islam, being a religion claiming universality and the status encompassing a “complete code of life for all”, teach its adherents to comply in such miserable situations? What instructions does it have for the humanity to manage the mental and physical challenges the pandemics pose to the mankind across all identities? Furthermore, how do the Muslim beliefs in Allah as All-Wise and Most Merciful, regarding the pre-ordained destiny and the time of death align the miserable conditions suffered by Allah’s most beloved creature with the human efforts on disease control, and drug discovery? This paper aims at discussing the theoretical teachings and practical directions given by Islam deriving from the sacred text of the Holy Quran and the established traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s blessings be upon him, as narrated in authentic books of Hadith sciences.