Dear Ladies and Gentleman:

Currently, the Coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed our world, and nations everywhere have mobilized efforts to combat it. On this occasion, I would like to highlight a sound Islamic understanding of such matters: while we believe that God has decreed such epidemics, this fact in no way contradicts the Islamic imperative to seek treatment through worldly measures, scientific efforts, and human experience. We would categorize our collective struggle against this epidemic as warding off whatever harms a person, such as predatory animals and pestilent insects—both believers and others share this instinct.

This human struggle against such forces stems also from God’s decree. As the rightly-guided caliph Omar said, “We flee from God’s decree to God’s decree.” Such words reveal the sound logic of Islam, as indeed, trusting in God does not obviate the need for action. Moreover, neglecting a response, according to the scholars of our spiritual tradition, constitutes an affront to God, given that God has provided us the ability to discover cures for these noxious forces. Neglecting such measures not only contradicts rationality but also the legislative tradition of our faith, based upon the words of our Prophet, God’s peace and blessings upon him: “Oh servants of God, seek treatments for your ailments.”

Hence, we are obliged to understand this and act accordingly. The Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God upon him, was the best of those who place their trust in God, yet he still sought treatment and treated others. So every prophylaxis or cure should be desired and sought after. Our empirical sciences have shown the effectiveness of such measures, and our revealed texts have sanctioned their use. Finally, the above-mentioned responses accord with the higher objectives of our sacred law and its principles.

Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah
President, Forum for Promoting Peace
Chairman, UAE Fatwa Council
#binbayyah