Be steadfast in carrying out holy instructions

TO date, over 2,400 deaths have been reported in Malaysia due to Covid-19, with more than 540,000 confirmed cases being recorded by the Health Ministry.

Unprecedented measures are being undertaken by the authorities to fight the outbreak and to curtail its impact.

In a pandemic, measures to eradicate contagious diseases can be effective only when individuals and society as a whole strictly comply with preventive guidelines. In this regard, some religious practices could play a role in directing followers towards behaviours that limit the spread of disease.

For Muslims, faith is an important influence on their lives and should be central in guiding their actions to minimise risks for themselves and others.

The Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) offer direction in dealing with public health issues based on the key concept of responsibility – to the Creator, to oneself and to others – as well as on obeying rules and guidelines. Avoiding diseases and protecting individuals and others have significant importance in Islam.

The Quran says “... and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all humankind” (5:32).

In light of the said Quranic command, vaccination fulfils the divine injunction of preventing harm in order to preserve human lives. Since saving lives is an act of worship, providing or receiving vaccination should be considered a religious obligation if it is meant to prevent innumerable cases of infectious diseases.

The importance of vaccination has been upheld by Islamic jurists in Malaysia and all over the world as it fulfils all the five objectives of the Sharia, namely the preservations of religion, life, progeny, intellect/sanity and wealth.

In mitigating a pandemic, Muslims should adhere to the Prophet’s command of “not going to a region where an epidemic has broken out, nor to leave from a place where an epidemic has already spread”.

Muslims should also be steadfast in carrying out the Prophet’s instructions relating to restriction measures, personal hygiene and cleanliness which are identical with modern practices of physical distancing, quarantine, and washing hands frequently.

Muslims who believe that they will be accountable on the Day of Judgment will take it as their duty to embrace the principle of preserving lives, and to obey health experts’ instructions, all of which are considered as honourable acts of worship in Islam.

ASSOC PROF DR MAIZATUN MUSTAFA

Legal Practice Department, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws,

International Islamic University Malaysia