As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen, we as Muslims need to know the attitude of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions in facing an epidemic. Therefore, the Postgraduate Program of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) once again held a routine religious study for all academic community members of the Postgraduate Program, delivered by Ustaz Dr. Syakir Jamaluddin, S.Ag., M.A. This virtual routine religious study was held via Zoom Meeting (3/2).
“We must know how the Prophet and scholars, as well as their guidance, faced an epidemic. With all our efforts, hopefully this will be part of our efforts to strengthen our immunity, as well as strengthen our faith, and in order to create a sense of security for all of us,” said Dr. M. Nurul Yamin., M.Si, Deputy Director of the UMY Postgraduate Program in his welcoming speech.
In addition, Syakir explained that the Prophet Muhammad’s attitude in facing an epidemic was that he forbade people in areas with epidemics from leaving those areas. Conversely, people outside areas affected by the epidemic were also forbidden from entering areas affected by the epidemic.
“From Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, she said, ‘I asked the Prophet Muhammad about the plague, and the Prophet Muhammad replied that, indeed, the plague is a warning from Allah, for whomever He wills, and a mercy for the believers. There is no one who, when a plague strikes, stays at home patiently and worships Allah, and who, as far as he knows, will be safe from the plague by staying at home, but he will be recorded as a martyr’ (HR. Bukhari and Ahmad).”
Syakir emphasized that the meaning explained in the hadith above is that what is appreciated in Islam is effort, maximizing one’s endeavors, and choosing the best. In determining the best, one must certainly rely on experts, so in the current situation where the COVID-19 pandemic is increasingly rampant, our best choice is to strive to protect ourselves with layered medical protection to avoid the epidemic. “Martyrdom begins with struggle, so if we have strived to protect ourselves but are destined to be affected by the epidemic, then we will be considered martyrs in the sight of Allah,” he said.
