Question:
What is the ruling on fleeing from an area with Ebola virus? Can you please give Islamic guidelines on dealing with epidemics
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salฤmu โalaykum wa-rahmatullฤhi wa-barakฤtuh.
It is the Aqฤซdah of the Ahl al-Sunnah that diseases are not contagious themselves.ย Diseases are transmitted solely by the will of Allah and He alone grants cure.
The Prophet แนฃalallahu `alayhi wasallam said:
โDiseases are not intrinsically contagious.โ (แนฃaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ)[1]
In the section of beliefs regarding means (asbab), causes and effects, Imam Bayjลซrฤซ in his commentary on Jawharah al-Tawแธฅฤซd states that there is Talฤzum `ฤdiyy (accustomed connection) between things considered as causes and effects.[2] ย This discussion is also found in some commentaries of Bad`u al-Amฤlฤซ.
Disease is not as a result of coming into contact with an infected individual.ย Disease is a result of the will of Allah.ย However, there is a connection which we have become accustomed to which is exposure to diseases and contracting diseases.ย Exposure is a means which Allah uses for the disease to transmit.
With regards to fleeing from a plagued area, the Prophet แนฃalallahu `alayhi wasallam said,
โIf you hear that it (plague) has broken out in a land, do not go to it; if it breaks out in a land where you are present, do not go out escaping from it.โ (แนฃaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ)[3]
The word mentioned in the แธฅadฤซth is แนญฤ`ลซn.ย There is a difference of opinion among the linguists as to which plague แนญฤ`ลซn refers to.ย Regardless, Ibn Manแบลซr rahimahullah mentions แนญฤ`ลซn is also used for every epidemic.[4]
Keeping the above แธฅadฤซth in mind, some Fuqahฤโ state it is makrลซh taแธฅrฤซmฤซ (severely disliked) to enter an area which has been hit with an epidemic if a person fears he will contract the disease due to him entering rather than Allahโs will.ย Likewise, it will be severely disliked to leave the plague hit area if it will cause the fleeing person to believe he was saved on account of him fleeing rather than Allah.[5]ย However, other Fuqahฤโ have mentioned it is severely disliked to enter or flee an area with an epidemic regardless of oneโs thoughts and beliefs.[6]
As an exception to the above general rule, it will be permissible for one to leave a plagued area if there is a genuine need.ย For example, being transferred to a clinic or hospital in another area for treatment.[7]
In addition, Ibn Hajar raแธฅimahullah has said a person who lives in a different town and was on the verge of leaving when the epidemic hit in that period, will be excused and permitted to leave.[8]
The following are a few Islamic medical ethics in relation to dealing with epidemics:
1)ย ย ย Quarantine
The Prophet แนฃalallahu `alayhi wasallam encouraged quarantine in the following แธฅadฤซth:
โDo not put a sick one (animal) with a healthy one (animal)โ (แนฃaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ)[9]
2)ย ย ย Importance of disinfecting and hygiene
The following highlights the importance of hygiene[10]:
โThe Prophet แนฃalallahu `alayhi wasallam set a time limit for us to cut our moustaches, cut our nails, pluck our armpit hairs and shave our pubic hairs: we were not to leave it any longer than forty days.โ (Musnad Aแธฅmad)[11]
Furthermore, washing hands when awakening, having a compulsory bath upon relations, bathing regularly, making sure blood is drained out from slaughtered animals, washing hands before and after eating, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing are all evidences on the importance of hygiene in Sharฤซ`ah.
3)ย ย ย Avoiding consumption of animals with diseases
One should avoid eating potentially harmful consumables and those things which can be a means of illness and disease.[12] [13]
4)ย ย ย Culling infected animals
It is permissible to slaughter animals with diseases.[14]
5)ย ย ย Avoid using same equipment and material[15]
Gloves, needles, clothing material should be changed regularly. ย Likewise, bedding should be washed frequently.
6)ย ย ย Burying deceasedย
The Prophet แนฃalallahu `alayhi wasallam gave a general order for all corpses to be buried without any delay.[16]
7)ย ย ย Researching possible vaccines
The Prophet แนฃalallahu `alayhi wasallam said,
โThere is a remedy for every malady, and when the remedy is applied to the disease it is cured with the permission of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.โ (แนฃaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim)[17]
Hence, mankind should hasten to find a vaccination and remedy to the Ebola virus considering the above narration.
Whilst adopting all the means to contain the Ebola virus, our focus should be solely on Allah.ย Ibrฤhฤซm alayhis salฤm beautifully summarised the relationship and dependency a Muslim ought to have on Allah in the following manner:
“Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me; And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.ย And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.ย ย And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again);ย And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection).โ (Qurโฤn 26:78-82)
We make du`ฤโ to Allah He protects us all from the Ebola virus and grants those who have contracted the virus cure and ease.ย Amฤซn.
And Allah Taโฤlฤ Knows Best
ย
[1] ย ุนููู ุงูุฒููููุฑููููุ ููุงูู: ุญูุฏููุซูููู ุฃูุจูู ุณูููู ูุฉู ุจููู ุนูุจูุฏู ุงูุฑููุญูู ูููุ ุฃูููู ุฃูุจูุง ููุฑูููุฑูุฉูุ ููุงูู: ุณูู ูุนูุชู ุฑูุณูููู ุงูููููู ุตููููู ุงูููู ุนููููููู ููุณููููู ู ููููููู: ยซูุงู ุนูุฏููููยป (ุฑูุงู ุงูุจุฎุงุฑู)
[2] ย ุญุงุดูุฉ ุงูุจูุฌูุฑู ุต 167 ุฏุงุฑ ุงูุณูุงู
ุฌุงู ุน ุงููุขูู ุต 30 ุฏุงุฑ ุงูุจุดุงุฆุฑ