Plagues and Pandemics
Question:-
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Is there contagiousness in diseases?
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What is the difference between pandemics and epidemics?
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Can people infected with the Virus be forced to remain indoors, or are they permitted to move around freely?
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What about the narration where Umar Radiallahu Anhu prohibited people from entering Shaam when there was an outbreak of a plague?
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If one affected by the illness does not isolate, and as a result, others fall ill, then can he/she be held liable?
Answer:-
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The words of the Hadith ‘Laa Adwaa’ clearly indicate that there is no contagiousness in diseases. The disease can spread to a number of people, but not because of them coming into contact with a sick person, rather because of it being the decree of Allah Ta’aala. There are a number of individuals that have currently tested positive for Covid, yet none of their immediate family members have been detected positive, despite the fact that they are all living together in the same home. This, again, proves that the disease doesn’t spread due to coming into contact with a patient, rather it is due to it being the Will and decree of Allah Ta’aala.
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The term ‘pandemic and epidemic’ share a similar meaning in the English language which we have outlined below:
A pandemic is a disease that is prevalent over the whole country or world.
An epidemic refers to a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community, at particular time.
A plague refers to a bacterial disease characterized by fever and delirium, typically with the formation of buboes (bubonic plague) and sometimes, infection of the lungs (pneumonic plague).
Seasonal influenza, often called ‘the flu’, is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by an influenza virus. Outbreaks of seasonal flu follow largely predictable seasonal patterns and occur annually. In the temperate climate zones, they occur predominantly in the winter months and may emerge from late autumn to early spring.
According to the Fuqaha, ‘Ta’oon and Wabaa’ are synonyms and refer to every illness that is widespread.
( وكل طاعون وباء الخ ) لأن الوباء اسم لكل مرض عام (حاشية ابن عابدين كتاب الكسوف)
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No person can be forced to remain indoors unless enforced at government level, since the subjects of the country are required to adhere to the rules and regulations of a country, as long as such rules do not contradict Shariah in any way. Yes, the teaching of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is that people living in an area affected with an outbreak, should not leave the area (if they are of the opinion that by leaving the area they will be spared from the disease), and people out of the plague area shouldn’t enter the area (if they fear that by entering the area they will contract the disease). This instruction or command of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam was to correct and safeguard the Aqeedah of the people.
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Yes, this has already been discussed in #3. Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu, acting on the teaching of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, did not permit Sahaaba radhiallahu anhum to enter Shaam due to the outbreak of a plague in the area.
( وإذا خرج من بلدة بها الطاعون فإن علم أن كل شيء بقدر الله تعالى فلا بأس بأن يخرج ويدخل وإن كان عنده أنه لو خرج نجا ولو دخل ابتلي به كره له ذلك ) فلا يدخل ولا يخرج صيانة لاعتقاده (شامي)
وأجاز قول عبد الرحمن بن عوف رضي الله عنه في الطاعون حين أراد أن يدخل الشام وبها الطاعون فاستشارهم فأشار عليه بعض المهاجرين بالدخول فقال له أبو عبيدة بن الجراح رضي الله عنه يا أمير المؤمنين أتفر من قدر الله فقال عبد الرحمن بن عوف رضي الله عنه إني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول “إذا وقع هذا الرجز بأرض فلا تدخلوا عليه وإذا وقع وأنتم فيها فلا تخرجوا منها” فأخذ عمر رضي الله عنه بقوله ورجع وذكر الطحاوي رحمه الله تعالى في مشكل الآثار هذا الحديث فقال تأويله أنه إذا كان بحال لو دخل فابتلى وقع عنده أنه ابتلى بدخوله ولو خرج فنجى وقع عنده أنه نجى بخروجه فلا يدخل ولا يخرج صيانة لاعتقاده فأما إذا كان يعلم أن كل شيء بقدر وأنه لا يصيبه إلا ما كتب الله تعالى فلا بأس بأن يدخل ويخرج (المبسوط السرخسي)
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Based on the explanation provided in #1, it is evident that health and illness are both from Allah Ta’aala. Therefore, a human cannot be held accountable and liable for spreading a disease. However, due to weakness in the Aqeedah of the people, whereby many are of the opinion that one will contract the illness due to coming in contact with an ill person, it will be advisable for the ill to isolate themselves until recovery.