Islam has already notified measures to control virus spreads
A comparative analysis to control viruses shows that hygiene holds the key
Zahoor Dar
Everything good that happens to you (o man) is from God, Everything bad that happens to you is from your own actions.(Quran 4:79)
The Allah loves his creations too much that he is concerned even with what we eat and put in our body. “O Mankind, Eat of what is lawful and good on earth. (2:168)
Allah is pure and likes purity. He is clean and likes cleanliness. Therefore cleanness of body and mind is stressed in Quran (4:42).
Islam is referred to as the religion of cleanliness “Truly God loves those who turn unto him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (Quran 2:222) in the traditions of prophet Mohmmad (PBUH) cleanliness is mentioned as half of faith, therefore, it is important to keep the body fresh and clean.
Islam insists on several practices to facilitate this. The private parts are washed after using the toilet and Muslims must pay particular attention to being clean before praying. They wash their hands, faces/including rinsing the mouth and nose) arms and feet a minimum of five times a day.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) insisted the believers to wash their hands before praying, before and after eating and upon waking up in the morning.
In present times, professionals around the world have become increasingly concerned with the spread of infectious diseases. Outbreak of swine flu, avian (Bird flu) and COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have meant that infectious diseases have taken on a global content and are now on the agenda of world leaders and health policy makers alike.
In developed and developing countries health officials are focusing on infectious diseases research and linking it to policymaking and infrastructure.
The scope of infectious diseases is progressively more challenged by globalization, easy and frequent air travel allows diseases to spread rapidly between communities and countries. Infectious diseases control will continue to be confronted by 21st century, besides issues including global warming, conflict famine, overpopulation and deforestation.
Due to ongoing media attention most of us are aware of the dangers associated with (COVID-19) around 3500 have died and around 1 lakh are affected by the deadly virus.
Some basic measures are appropriate when trying to control the spread of any or all infectious diseases. These include meticulous hand washing, covering the mouth, when sneezing or coughing proper disposal of tissues, staying at home, away from public places.
Islam is a holistic belief system and it takes into account the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of individual and societies, although care of the individual is important safeguarding communities including its weakest members is of paramount importance.
More than 1400 years ago Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), was teaching his followers hygiene practice that are still applicable in the times we live in.
From the traditions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) we find evidences that clearly indicates Islamic stance on coughing and sneezing openly. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) instructed the believers to cover their faces when sneezing and coughing. The most obvious affect of sneezing and coughing without covering the mouth is the spread of air born bacteria and viruses. In addition droplets invisible to the naked eye may fall on to surfaces or other people.
Infection control in Islam includes isolation and Quarantine. Prophet Mohmmad (PBUH) instituted strategies that are today implemented by public health authorities. He commended his followers not to travel places known to be affected with illness and he advised those in the contaminated areas and communities not to leave and spread the diseases further afield.
He said, “If you hear that there is a plague in any land, don’t enter it, while you are therein don’t come out of it”. He also counselled ill people not to visit healthy people.
The teachings and principles of Islam are designed to benefit all of humankind, the rules and recommendations for personal hygiene and cleanliness promote the well being of individual and communities.
Infection control is inherent in Islamic hygiene behaviour. Washing hands, covering the mouth when sneezing and coughing, voluntary isolation, when one is feeling unwell and restricted travel is an effective and comprehensive public health strategy.
Measures taken in 21st century to prevent the spread of infections and viruses conform almost exactly to the hygiene and infection control practices taught by Prophet Mohmmad (PBUH).
(The writer is a columnist andcan be reached at [email protected])
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