WHEN THE SWINE FEVER OR SWINE FLU BROKE OUT, some people would only walk around wearing a covering or face mask, or other than that. If people had been granted the ability to truly place reliance in Allāh, they would not have done any of that, because when a believer knows that what Allāh (جل وعلا) has decreed will inevitably happen, whether it is affliction with an illness, a respiratory infection, or something else, then nothing will happen unless Allāh has decreed it, and that which He has not decreed will not happen.

Just as (the Prophet) has repeatedly mentioned in the story of Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) and the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما): “Know that what has befallen you could not have missed you, and what has missed you could not have befallen you. The pens have dried and the pages have been folded.” And the hadith of Abū Hurayrah: “O Abū Hurayrah, the pen has dried over what you will encounter.”

Despite that, He did not forbid them from doing what fear would drive them to do, but He made clear to them that their fear and taking certain measures would not prevent them from what Allāh has decreed, and that what Allāh (جل وعلا) has prevented, no matter how exposed they are to it, will not befall them.

The story of Khālid bin al-Walīd (رضي الله عنه) when he died in his bed, he said: “I have witnessed more than eighty battles, and there is not a single spot on my body that has not been struck by an arrow, spear, or sword. And here I am dying in my bed like a camel dies. May the eyes of cowards never sleep.” However, not all people are brave.

Al-Mutanabbiʾ (the poet) said:

“If it weren't for hardship, all people would be leaders. Generosity leads to poverty, and courage leads to death.”

However, if people have a great deal of trust in the ordainment of Allah, (جل وعلا) and His decree, they will deal with whatever they face based on this trust. Taking precautions is not forbidden, because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Seek treatment, servants of Allah, and do not seek treatment with what is forbidden.”

Therefore, it is not a command. If it were a command, it would necessitate an obligation. However, it is, in reality, a permission to seek treatment, because refraining from seeking treatment, for someone who has great deal of reliance upon Allah, leads to entry into Paradise without accountability or punishment, as occurs in the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿAbbās. Yes.