The Aftermath of a Pandemic and Islamic Guidance

Written by Amtul Kafi Yadullah Bhunnoo| January 2022| Other Topics, Society

When a pandemic hits the world, the natural cycle of life, that life is finite, becomes patently apparent. Human beings, otherwise unconcerned with this ultimate truth, go into a phase of shock and panic where even governments stay stunned for some time. Why do we not learn from past pandemics? Why are governments and states always unprepared? This is because of our susceptibility to the dilution effect (1), a social psychology concept where useful information is ignored during decision making. The generations that did not experience a pandemic directly and merely heard stories or read about them in history books brush it off without much thinking. We are much concerned with our own desires and building wealth. As it is likely that another wave, or several waves, of the COVID-19 pandemic will hit most countries, such times make us realize the significance and power of an individual, and the real value of the teachings of Islam.

Mental health issues are already on the rise with suicide, domestic violence, and divorce rates increasing.

No matter how much we overestimate ourselves, it took just one carrier of the disease for the virus to spread and push the world into lockdown. World economies have plummeted, where economists predict a blow worse than the Great Depression (2). One cannot ignore that the economy will be stagnated for some time, unemployment will be high, food shortages may occur, and businesses and traditional working spaces will change. If we look at history, whenever a pandemic has occurred in the world, it has brought about a change in people. People who were previously focused on accumulating material wealth realized that they only needed some basic amenities to survive and progress.

The current pandemic has made us realize that the society we live in is built on false pillars of the economy. This is apparent through both government fund- ing and salary data. In the USA, every sector has had funding cuts in 2019 except for Defense (up $7.077 billion, 13.5%), Veterans’ Affairs (up $39 million, 3.0%), and Transportation (up $33 million, 3.2%). The Department of Health and Human Services had the largest cut (down $3.249 billion, 8.8%) (3).

The words of international lawyer Karim Khan QC, at the Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Conference 2018, London, are amplified:

“Capacity to defend oneself is important, but in this day and age we have seen economic power is the only route to real independence and autonomy… one should be very cautious about spending it on re-arming as opposed to development” (4).

Some governments have lowered interest rates to almost zero to stop businesses from collapsing (5). Although they did not take it all away at once due to their belief it would have a negative impact on banks and, in turn, on the economy, it does show that the Islamic concept of having no interest is the way to go, as it helps individuals as well as the economy in the short as well as long run. Perhaps low to no interest rates are not so bad for the economy after all.

The average weekly wage of a sportsperson is $4,403 compared to that of a researcher in the life sciences at $2,470 (6). It is no wonder that due to research cuts in the health department, results in understanding and defending ourselves from the virus have been slow. And now, due to the world’s attention, funding redirection toward this has increased the amount of research published on the novel coronavirus and understanding of the mechanism, ways of protecting oneself, as well as in finding a possible treatment. Now, although we may blame the government for their spending, we as individuals are also to be blamed. Why are sportsmen earning more than scientists and researchers? We get what we spend money on. We tend to buy tickets for entertainment but pay less attention to scientific conferences. This highlights the importance of the Islamic teaching: “shun all that which is vain” (7).

Pandemics make us realize our shortcomings, indifferent attitude, and lack of effort in helping others in society, especially the vulnerable. If we think about it, this shows that by neglecting a particular person, a community can, in turn, affect the bigger society and the world in general. The hoarding of food and personal hygiene items after a hint of lockdown lead to many vulnerable people scavenging for items (8). These kinds of habits exposed the self-interested nature of some people where older and more fragile individuals were made scapegoats. Islam clearly condemns those who “hoarded wealth, and withheld it” (9).

Regardless of the origin of the virus, the likelihood of it coming into existence is due to someone’s lack of attention to their work and hygiene. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) said, “cleanliness is half of faith” (10); it is not enough to clean one’s own self and body, but keeping the environment clean is also part of it. We should thank the cleaners who were working throughout the pandemic. Are we creating more litter for them? Do we wash the dishes at home? Do we keep the work cafeteria clean? Our careless attitude in this regard could have dire consequences. Simple things can make a big difference. We are used to handshaking; we may need to break this habit by simply nodding, bowing like the Japanese or putting a hand on the heart like the Arabs. Panic buying of toilet paper may make people see the lack of need for it when simply washing oneself with water is much better for personal hygiene, as recommended in Islam.

It is likely that social distancing will remain for a while. Some may see the fragility or strength of their relationships at home and outside. People marrying during lockdown will realize how a small gathering with a few loved ones, or inviting the neighbors, is all you need to strengthen bonds of love. Those who had been neglecting their home and family will see the impact of their presence. People will recognize the unnecessary stress they took on in traveling to and from the workplace, where their job could easily have been done in the comfort of their home. Despite “social distancing,” we cannot remain distant, or socially unattached, to others. Many may come out of this pandemic having recognized the need to strengthen relationships as recommended by Islam:

“And show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbour that is a kinsman and the neighbour that is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and those who are under your control” (11).

Instagram addicts may realize the fragility of the bubble they were living in. Nobody really cares about the dresses you change every day for the likes on your photo or the city you traveled to, for “surely, Allah loves not the proud and the boastful” (12). We must also not forget that life is all about basic needs and simplicity, and grandeur is only for God. After all, a microscopic creature of His halted the world and made the rich and the poor alike run for shelter.

Mental health issues are already on the rise with suicide, domestic violence, and divorce rates increasing (13). These are the times we will realize that education both for the mind and soul is necessary to keep everything in perspective. We must not shy away from accepting professional help and intervention programs. In general, professionals help us with everything, and so why is it that we disregard prophets with the best “professional” experience who are directly sent by God and are the wisest spiritual counselors, who warn of such events when we are lax in our attitude toward God and His creation? These times also make many realize the importance of religion in life. Many will turn toward religion to find answers and to seek help in the spiritual realm.

COVID-19 has not killed as many people as war, famine or poverty does every day. More than 25,000 people die of hunger alone per day (14). Yemen is a country that reports show may be “deleted” from the world map due to the deaths occurring from war, famine, and now COVID-19 (15). For how long will we ignore the problems that occur in other parts of the world? Should we wait for them to become our own again? COVID-19 has shown this to be a very risky attitude. We must realize that even if a man is able to preserve his body to be resurrected in the year 3050, he cannot face the doom that earth itself could die due to our mishandling of problems. If we really think about it, the solution to all our problems is already given to us by God through His messengers. All those “professionals” have predicted the outcome of our actions, just like economists predict changes in the economy based on actions of government and public. Islam presents the best solution to all our problems. If we study the teachings of Islam on family life, finance, social welfare, trade, health, human rights, etc., we will attain much beneficial knowledge. Then it only becomes a matter of implementing it in our personal lives to become a healthy and prosperous society. The Holy Qur’an has delivered the good news to us that implementation is entirely within our capacity because “Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity” (16).

This article originally appears in the Summer 2020 print edition.

References

1. https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Dilution+Effect

2. https://www.ft.com/content/e626cc6f-5aa9-4dae-b6a0-175b92aa126d

3. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45715.pdf

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZy-9dYYJgE

5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51962982

6. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Industry/highest-paying-industries.aspx#a

7. Holy Qur’an (23:4)

8. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/23/us-coronavirus-panic-buying-food

9. Holy Qur’an (70:19)

10. Sahih Muslim 223