Question:-
If one tests positive for covid, then is it obligatory upon one to self-quarantine in terms of Shariah, or may he continue with his day to day activities? Some Ulama state that there is no contagiousness in diseases.
Answer:-
Based on the Hadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam that there is no contagiousness in diseases, we concur with the view of those scholars that state there is no contagiousness in diseases. The illness is purely from Allah Ta’ala.
Keeping this in mind, there is no harm if one continues with his day to day activities even though he suspects that he could be positive. It is not obligatory upon him to quarantine himself.
However, having said this, we live in an era where much weakness is found in the fundamental beliefs of people. If a healthy person (in our times) interacts with a covid patient and thereafter falls ill, then the covid patient will be blamed for passing over the illness and for not having quarantined himself. It is for the same reason (that is for the protection of one’s beliefs) the Hadith teaches us that, those within a plague-stricken area should not leave the area, whilst those out of the plague-stricken area should not enter the area. We therefore advise, that a covid patient should quarantine himself for the prescribed duration of 14 days so that the Aqeedah and beliefs of people are not corrupted.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 16 Jumadal Ukhra 1443 / 19 January 2022
