Posted by Abu Iyaad
Resource Date: 2020
Filed under Miscellaneous
THE SCHOLARS OF THE MUSLIMS give verdicts based on principles derived from the Book and the Sunnah, and often specify conditions, which determine the ruling and the nature of the advice that is founded upon it. It is the implementation of these principles which they mention in their verdicts and answers, that allow us to arrive at the truth in matters which may not be clear, or in which all of the information has not become available, or the factual reality may not be apparent to some as opposed to others.
Question:
I want to travel to Makkah to perform ʿumrah, however, I am frightened of Corona disease, so is this (counted as) weakness in ʿīmān, or is it taking the means (of precaution).
Shaykh al-Fawzān:
This is weakness in reliance upon Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى). Place reliance upon Allāh and go for ʿumrah, and (performing) prayer in al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, and do not fear except from Allāh .
Yes, yes, if a prohibition was issued, if a prohibition was issued against approaching a land, based upon a medical determination, then there is no harm (in avoiding it). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) says regarding the plague: “When you hear of it occurring in a land, then do not approach it, and the who is (resident) therein, should not leave it.”
When a prohibition is issued (by the authorities) based on correct knowledge, then you have excuse. As for when, and all praise is due to Allāḥ, the door is open, and those who come for ʿumrah are performing it, and visit the Prophet’s Mosque, then you should not have this strong fear.
The Shaykh (حفظه الله) gave a conditional answer, and mentioned the issue of "correct knowledge".
He mentioned that one should not have fear unless it is warranted, and so long as no prohibition has been issued, then one should not refrain from performing acts of goodness, in this case, involving travel, such as ʿumrah, and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque. As for the issuing of a prohibition (against travelling), then it is conditioned on being based upon correct knowledge.
In an evolving situation, full knowledge may not be present, and thus decisions and policies may be made which are not in accordance with all the facts, however they are valid for that time, because overwhelming belief can be used for rulings in such circumstances and acted upon. As knowledge becomes available, and the realities become apparent, the ruling (and decisions and policies) change in accordance with that.
The nations differed greatly in their restrictions, with some having next to no restriction, leaving precaution to personal choice (Sweden, and some American states), others ended their participation very early in the pandemic (Tanzania), after only a few months, because they believed the WHO was not credible, and most other nations implemented restrictive measures of varying degrees of severity.
