Dealing with Coronavirus

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. This is Dr. Nasir Janka coming to you on behalf of column

with the current situation in regards to the Coronavirus COVID-19. There's a lot of different questions. There's a lot of concern that is circulating within the community. I wanted to take just a brief moment here today and ask for some of your time to discuss some of the questions and concerns that many people in the community have expressed. First and foremost, it is important to remember and understand our perspective and proper belief in Allah subhana wa Tada. There's a lot of confusion within the community at this time, about tragedy, and why this would happen and how could God let this happen? We need to remember our faith and belief in Allah subhanaw taala and

understanding that everything that occurs, happens by the will of Allah subhanaw taala and we put our faith and our trust in Allah subhanaw taala knowing that ultimately, what is best for us is exactly what Allah has decreed. And so faith and trust is very important. And oftentimes, the crisis that people experience is experienced due to spiritual destabilization. And that's exactly why either has a Bahu Emraan facade Illa Salah whenever the prophets a lot of them dealt with any kind of a, an overwhelming situation and circumstance, he at once immediately resorted and went to the prayer. So that's why it's so important to remember to pray at these times and turn to Allah

subhanaw taala and connect with Allah and that inshallah will provide a lot of spiritual strength and fortification during difficult times. The second thing that I wanted to talk about and kind of get into right here is a technical issue of a very technical nature. And that is the question about congregations, going to the masjid public activities, and even Salatu Juma people are inquiring I have been inundated with messages and phone calls, trying to figure out what to do about these kinds of scenarios. First and foremost, what we need to understand is, disease is a very real thing. It is not a made up thing that is not in people's heads. And it is in no way shape or form part of our

spiritual framework to dismiss these things as paranoia. The Prophet of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam acknowledged that diseases is a very real thing and that's why he said alma mater owner shahidan, even somebody who dies due to some kind of plague that is afflicted in area, then those people are Shaheed they are shahadat, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam talked about the benefits of sickness and illness and Tatas do eyes and supplications to help us remedy our sickness and illness, and he commanded the companions to seek remedy whenever they became ill. So sickness is a very real thing, and we need to acknowledge it as such. Number two, there are certain protocols

that are in place, not only from a medical health scientific point of view, but also from a religious point of view. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam talked about the fact that if there's an outbreak of illness in a particular area, and it is highly contagious, then people that are in that area fill out the human hoof era, meaning that they should not run from it, they should not leave that area. And people that are outside of that area should not go into that particular area where there is an outbreak and it is highly contagious, unless and until of course, they are going in for the purposes of remedying the illness, other than that common folk should abstain from

doing so. And so it's very important to remember

that there are precautions that our religion teaches us the prophets allottee someone says like God do. Alan Mulally do Alan Musashi that a sick person should not impose themselves upon people who are not sick. And so therefore, it is wise to abstain from attending public gatherings that number one are optional within our religion, they are not mandatory. A halaqa is not mandatory in our religion, it is optional. Yes, it's very beneficial, you learn a lot you benefit, but it is not mandatory. And so it would be wise in these kinds of times to stay away from such kind of public gatherings especially when we have these kinds of venues of vehicles and avenues of continuing to learn online

through recordings and things of that nature. So we should abstain from such places when it comes to the second issue and that is of attending congregational prayer within the masjid within the mosque. Once again.

Praying five times a day is mandatory, going to the masjid and attending it there as a jamaa, that is something that is not mandatory upon each and every single individual. Some scholars have stated that it is a communal obligation that someone needs to be doing it and that can be discussed amongst the leadership of the community. But for the general public in the community, you can know being at home that it is not mandatory on you to go to the masjid for fudger the harasser. mckibbon Aisha, you must pray at home should pray at home. Please pray at home. But by no means is it mandatory for you to go for that prayer in the masjid. The third issue now is about salata. Jawahar, the Friday

congregational prayer. Now first and foremost, let's create a little bit of clarity. Friday Prayer attending the Friday prayer in the masjid is not mandatory upon everyone. For instance, it is not mandatory upon people who live outside of the city in the countryside. They live like on a huge farm by themselves. Nowhere near civilization it's not mandatory on people like that it is not mandatory upon women and children. Attending the Juma prayer is definitely not mandatory upon sick people, people who are ill and physically not well, and this would qualify. So what that tells us is that Juma is only mandatory upon adult males who live in the community. Those are the only people that

Juma is mandatory for everyone else, is allowed to pray. So lots of thought.

Number two, what is exactly the definition of Joomla. The definition of Juma is that there needs to be some kind of praise and glorification of Allah subhanaw taala. First, illogically law, he, it does not have to be a 30 minute long sermon, it does not have to be a long, you know, lecture in that goes into detail about a lot of things, it can be a very short mention of the praise and the glorification of Allah subhanaw wattana. Some other scholars have listed specific points, suffice it to say, even with the most detailed outline, that it needs to have the proclamation of faith, sending salutations upon the prophets a lot, he said of the praise and the glorification of God,

reciting a verse of the Quran, mentioning something from the prophetic guidance, and then concluding with a DA, all of that could still be done within two minutes at the most. So that is the minimal requirement of the Friday Hooda. And then two other cows are prayed in congregation. So that is the minimal of what the minimum of what is required in terms of selecting jamara. Now, the question has been brought up, is it wise to have these gatherings when this situation is going on? So there's a few things we need to take into consideration, I know that many respected scholars have shared some commentary. And what I'm going to say now in no way shape or form is to compliment or refute what

anybody else has said, I am simply here sharing my own thoughts, my own research, my own reading, and that and the consultation that I've conducted with my fellow team members and scholars and faculty here at column. So first of all, what we need to take a look at is that we do know for a fact from the Hadith of the Prophet sallallahu Sallam that someone who is sick, does not have to come to set out on jawara. Part of the problem is the unknown with this particular virus, many people who are sick, might not even know that they are sick. And while it might not be having a very traumatic effect upon them, that does not mean that they could not transmit it to someone else who

could be very severely affected by it, or then they could transmit it take it home, to an elderly parent or grandparent who could be very severely affected by it. So there is this unknown element in factor that when we say sick, people don't need to come. We're not even really sure who's sick or not. So there is this unknown element that does exist, that I do feel warrants some level of precaution, and maybe pushing the envelope a little bit. Number two, the second thing that we also have to take into consideration is that

there is a precedent within our religion. Then when there is the element of fear for one's well being for one's personal property, that one could be excused from the Juma prayer. So once again, fear for one's well being and health and safety or the health and safety of one's family. While I might not be immunocompromised, I might have a family member at home, who would be described as such who is more susceptible an elderly parent or someone of that nature. So

So the element of fear can also excuse someone from even the obligation of Salatu. Juma, we do have a precedent for that. And many of our books have fit even IV Dean and many others have written about this. Number three is that what we also have to take into consideration is that there is a general recommendation within our *ty within the sacred source of Islam. The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu Sallam about removing harm and avoiding harm within the community. The Prophet of Allah subhanaw taala in the Quran tells us much Allah Allah, inherent hardship and then do unnecessary hardship was not created, was not placed within our religion. The prophets a lot of

Islam taught us about da da da, da, da, da da, no harm, no reciprocating of any harm. And there's many, many other evidences that we can go through that does illustrate the idea that we do prioritize minimizing harm within the community from a intellectually and a religious point of view in Islam.

The last thing I want to mention, however, at the same time, is that there's still a level of precaution when we talk about, quote, unquote, canceling salata, jamara and the reason for that is, the mandate of there being a DMR congregation within the community is something that comes from the Quran itself. God Himself Allah subhanho wa Taala himself as mandated this. Yeah, you have nothing to amanu either new de la sala tomiyama. Giamatti. First, illogically la he was a little bear, that when the call is made, oh, you believe when the call is made for prayer on the day of Friday, then rush to the remembrance of God and abandon all business and trade. So this is a mandate that exists

within the product itself in the profits. A lot of time has reiterated this and numerous authentic narrations. So this is what we typically call a very, very conclusive issue, that Juma must be established in the community, what we call Qatari. And in order to

override something that is so conclusive, you need equally if not even greater, conclusive proof, you need some very, very strong proof, or you need some very strong factors to override something like this. So like, for instance, if there was an absolute shutdown of anyone going out in public a martial law complete quarantine of the population. Now, that becomes a very serious concern, and something that is strong enough to be able to override this absolute command conclusive command that we have within the Shetty. However, the situation we deal with right now, I personally and this is not to address anyone else's opinion, I respect everyone's opinion, I personally would not say that

we are that we should cancel jawara in terms of there will be no Joomla conducted, there could be once again a very select group of people. This could be the responsibility of the leadership of the community who are going to get together

with a lot of precaution taken and perform a job that will absolve the entire community of that communal obligation. But as far as individuals are concerned, I do think that it is okay for people to choose to not to go to the Juma prayer. While we are dealing with this circumstance, that is something that I feel comfortable communicating to people that if you do not feel comfortable, you do not feel safe attending the Juma prayer, then you may excuse yourself and priesthood out of the hood at home and inshallah be the law we pray to Allah subhanaw taala that will be excused in the eyes of God. But I personally just will not say that. Completely Juma would be decommissioned or

deregulated because I think that would require a more drastic measure something coming down from like a governmental policy, completely prohibiting and restricting movement or gathering of any kind, then in that scenario, of course Juma would not be conducted at all. The third thing is that I wanted to also advise everyone, I am not a health expert or medical professional. But please, please follow all the recommendations and advice that we are getting from medical and health professionals about cleanliness, about caution. Many people are asking the questions, of course, we don't need to islamically explain that it is good to wash your hands and to practice good safety and health and

sanitation. That should be fairly obvious to people. But along with that, there's a there's some questions I've also gotten about well, isn't it so not to shake hands? What am I supposed to do not shake my brother's hand

Once again understand that there is actually evidence for this. At the time of the prophets, a lot of there was a man who was afflicted with leprosy, who came to Medina to give the oath of allegiance and the prophets, a lot of them excuse them from coming and giving the oath of allegiance and he said, we have acknowledged your allegiance,

and took that kind of precaution. Now that person was a Muslim, a companion of the prophets, a lot of them, but the prophets a lot is in practice, that kind of precaution. The prophets A lot has taught us phenomenal Muslim coffee, coffee, erotic amino acid, that run from somebody afflicted with leprosy or something equally dangerous and contagious, as you would run from a lion like a wild animal that could harm you. So, people should not become hyper emotional. And people should not talk about matters that they do not have proper knowledge in regards to there's absolutely an understanding and mechanism built into our religion that addresses these kinds of situations,

whereas optional interactions like hugging and shaking hands and things of that nature, we are absolutely allowed to abstain from these kinds of things in the situation that we are in right now. The next item I wanted to address is that it is very, very important that there are two means or two types of means two ways that we go about addressing any and all situations that we deal with the first way that we deal with anything that we are afflicted with. Anytime we come across any situation. The first way that we deal with that situation is by turning to a law by connecting to a law, praying to a law, asking a lot for his protection, for his health, for his for health, for

mercy for guidance for benevolence, we always turn to Allah first. And it's very important to remember to do so with this situation. We might not be able to go to congregational prayers to on a daily basis to the masjid. But make sure you're praying five times a day and you're not missing your prayer. Try to start now that we are home a lot more. Try to start adding on Sunnah no often optional, voluntary units of prayer to every obligatory prayer that we are offering. Number two,

recite Koran, the Book of Allah subhanaw taala is a profound remedy when Lizzie lumenal Khurana Maha Shiva commit yourself to the Quran at this time. read the Quran listen to the Quran together as a family, read the translation of the Quran. Learn the meaning of the Quran. We have some humble resources our column if you go to the color podcast, there are recordings there of the defeat of the Quran by myself, Mufti Kimani, who started Rama, Murphy, and many many others, but spend as much time learning reading, reciting, understanding the Quran as you can the Quran is a very powerful remedy. Number three, do I pray and supplicate to Allah subhanaw taala there are many beautiful

supplications taught to us in the Quran. Allah subhanaw taala tells us that when the Prophet Yunus on a Salam was overwhelmed in a situation, he turned to a La La ilaha illa Anta sewaholic in the continuing avanti mean that our la there's absolutely positively no one worthy of worship except for you. And you are absolutely perfect. Yeah, Allah and I indeed have done wrong. So these kinds of applications this teaches us to repent. ask Allah for forgiveness of our sins.

There are many beautiful daughters of the prophets allottee setup Bismillah hilarya dodoma asked me he shall fill out the will of his sama. That Allah with the name of God nothing can harm us within the heavens in the earth.

The prophets Allah Islam taught us to seek refuge from these kinds of diseases and illnesses Allahumma inni are either becoming al bolasie Well, God will do them you woman say Yella scum.

Allah the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam taught us to constantly seek well being from Allah Allahumma inni Luca LA for will rfef dunya will ask Allah. So there are many many prophetic supplications as well for praying to Allah subhanho wa Taala for well being and safety and health. Please commit yourself to these kinds of supplications scholars also recommend that during these tragic times, giving sadaqa charity is also a very powerful means of attracting the mercy of Allah subhana wa Tada. So do so. And something else that I'll personally mention is if people are going to be home from school and work a whole lot more. It's also easy to waste a lot of time. Rather than

putting in more time into watching TV or videos or movies or playing

videogames or wasting time with these kinds of things, commit more time to spending time together as a family, pray together as a family read together as a family make, do it together, as a family bond with each other as families, and learn knowledge. This is an ideal time to educate yourself and learn knowledge. Once again, there are tons of resources, I can just simply mention what I am familiar with, if you go to the column podcast, you go to the column website, there are a lot of beneficial resources there that we are making an effort to make available to the community. So please utilize your time more wisely and educate yourself about your deen in your religion.

Leslie And finally, it is very important to remember that not to delve into areas that we have no knowledge of, there's a lot of discussion online as this is a punishment from God for these people for doing that, or this or that. Remember something very important. Whatever happens, there's the only one who can tell us about the intent of God. And anything that happens in this world is God Himself. Only Allah can tell us why he did what he did. And that ended with the departure of the prophets a lot is from this world, no more divine revelation is coming. So anything that transpires, no one has any ability to absolutely with certainty, state, that this is what this is that this is a

punishment, or it's this or it's that. Remember, it's going to be different things for different people. For some, it could be a punishment. For some it might be a test. And for some, it will be a profound mercy and a cleansing of their citizens. That all will only be known in the life of the hereafter and on the Day of Judgment.

So stay out of areas that do not concern us commit yourself to the good that you can do and that you can engage in. And lastly, and finally, I wanted to just give a little bit of an update in terms of alum, because I feel that that is the responsible thing to do. And hopefully this can set an example for other local communities and organizations as well. At column, we are taking the health and the well being of our students, our communities that we work with very, very seriously. So our column we have currently suspended any and all public activities. Our instructors who visit different communities are not going to be doing so unless or until the situation changes. Any seminars

intensives retreats that we're going to be going on

soon are being postponed until the situation changes. Even at the column seminary, where we have over 100 students studying full time. We are moving we currently were on the spring break. And when classes resume next week, we are moving all of our studies online. No students will be coming into

the classrooms, those students will physically be coming onto campus. All of our studies will be conducted online remotely. And so these are some of the precautions that we're taking and we advise you to take similar precautions. May Allah subhanaw taala protect everyone. May Allah subhanaw taala preserve everyone and their families. Anyone who is afflicted and who is sick. May Allah subhanaw taala Grantham Shiva in healing design from Allah who hate on was Salam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh