Despite the fact that the Covid-19 virus does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, or religion, some people are still using it to target and malign certain minorities, especially Muslims. Yet, despite the negativity, Muslims across the world are playing a major role in the fight against the pandemic.

Over the last few months hashtags such as #CoronaJihad and #CoronaTerrorism have been trending on social media. Many Westerners may not have come across these hashtags, but in India and some other Eastern countries, social media posts carrying them have recently been going viral. Some Indian politicians were also quoted referring to Muslims as ‘Corona’ or “Human Bombs.”

In fact, since the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 virus in 2019, Muslims in many countries have reported facing discrimination. A few female Muslim doctors in the U.S. have reported that patients refused to let them examine them when they saw their hijab.

What this suggests is that even during such a great pandemic, a time when humanity should be coming together, racism and bigotry still overshadow rationality. Some politicians use this as an opportunity to score political points with their base and further their Islamophobic agendas.

However, despite all the negativity and hatred, many of the doctors in the West happen to be Muslims who are putting their lives on the line to save patients.

The Efforts of Muslim Doctors


In the United Kingdom


According to a recent report by Al Jazeera, the first four doctors in the United Kingdom to succumb to Corona Virus were all Muslim. They were Adil El Tayar, Alfa Sa’adu, Habib Zaidi, and Amged el-Hawrani. The general secretary of the British Islamic Medical Association said:

“They were devoted family men, committed senior doctors, and dedicated decades of service to their communities and patients… They gave the ultimate sacrifice while fighting this disease.”

In Italy


Similarly, in Italy, it was reported that the 100th doctor to die of Covid-19 was Samar Sinjab, a 62-year-old Muslim of Syrian origin who contracted the virus from one of her patients. According to the report, she worked until her very last days. The report also highlights several other Muslim doctors who gave their life in trying to save their patients from the coronavirus.

In the United States


It is a well-known fact that the U.S. hosts a very large population of doctors belonging to the Muslim faith.

A recent, positive report from the United States, tells of a Muslim-American doctor who used his knowledge and expertise to innovate a new method for treating patients of Covid-19. Dr. Saud Anwar of Connecticut has found a way to use a single ventilator to treat up to 7 patients at a time!

Using the new method, air from the ventilator would be evenly distributed via a plastic fitting with enough pressure to allow up to 7 patients to breathe. Dr. Anwar had the following to say about the new invention: “This is only in a situation of a disaster this is not standard of care… so it is preparation for a desperate response for a desperate situation where if we don’t have enough ventilators and there are hundreds of people who are in need of them you try to save as many people as you can.”

Everyday Muslims Fighting Covid-19


It is not just Muslim doctors who are leading the fight against the Corona virus. Everyday Muslims are doing their part to help their neighbors and community members during this time of difficulty.

One of the most heartwarming examples of this selflessness is the couple Jawad and Asiyah Javed, who own a corner shop in Scotland and have taken it upon themselves to provide free face masks and sanitizers to the elderly. For those seniors who are unable to visit the shop themselves, the Muslim couple deliver the essential items to them free of cost. As of the date of the report, their generosity had so far cost them approximately 2,000 Pounds.

“On Saturday I was out, and I met an old woman, she was crying because she had been to the supermarket and there was no hand wash,” Mrs. Jawad explained. “I feel it is not fair on elderly people, some can’t get out the house. We are delivering 30 packages to a care home where there are 30 people living, and we’ve got another couple of hundred in the shop.”

Islam on Saving Lives


Islam, like all other major religions, emphasizes the importance of human life. Many Muslim doctors enter the medical field in hopes of serving those who are ill. The Qur’an explains that anyone who saves one life, it is as though he has saved all humankind (Quran, 5:32).

Covid-19 Safety Measures – Inadvertently Inspired by Muhammad (PBUH)?

It is no secret that Islam has a PR problem in the West. In fact, based on their political leanings, the average, western, non-Muslim’s views regarding Islamic customs would probably range from slightly backward to barbaric! Muslims of course would disagree; to them Islamic customs are nothing less than ideal since they come directly from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who in turn received them from God.

Regardless of how westerners choose to view Islamic morals and customs, something very peculiar is taking place today which may encourage them to rethink their preconceived notions about Islam.

In response to the spread of Covid-19, countries across the world have instituted several safety measures in order to reduce the risk of infections and “flatten the curve”. To Muslims, some of these safety measures are pleasantly familiar, even commonplace. Thus, one may ask the question: are these measures inadvertently inspired by Muhammad (peace be upon him)?

Let’s take a look at just a few below…

Covering the Face


Just a few years ago, several European countries began fining Muslim women who desired to cover their faces (covering the face for women is voluntary) even though such a law seems to contradict the ideal of freedom of religion.

Yet, suddenly, in response to the coronavirus, many of those same countries are recommending – even forcing their citizens – to cover their faces with face masks. Recently, even president Trump, who famously said “I think Islam hates us!” was seen on television recommending people wear scarves when they step outside their homes.

What a relief for many Muslim women who had already been following these guidelines for 1400 years!

No Shaking Hands


I remember a few years ago I had a meeting with a potential client who happened to be a lady. As is customary in many western countries, she extended her hand for me to shake, but I smiled and politely declined – Islam does not permit shaking hands between unrelated members of the opposite sex. Needless to say, that meeting was doomed from the get-go. She was even kind enough to share her thoughts about how she thought Muslim women are treated.

(Fun Fact: countries such as Denmark force new citizens to shake hands as an essential part of the citizenship ceremony, which many say is a requirement specifically aimed at Muslims.)

However, imagine the same scenario today. If anyone were to insist on shaking hands with another person in a public place, they would probably be scolded by onlookers… maybe even arrested!

Wash Hands Regularly!


We’ve all probably had the ghastly experience of witnessing someone in a public restroom do their business and then proudly walk out the door without even glancing at the sink! (Maybe they are just environmentally conscious and don’t want to waste water… who knows!)

Not in 2020! Today if someone just happens to touch a doorknob in a public place they would rush to the nearest sink and wash their hands with soap… then wash the faucet with soap before turning it off!

Washing hands regularly is nothing new to Muslims. The observant Muslim will perform the ritual ablution with water several times a day in order to prepare him/herself for prayer. This of course includes washing the hands up to the elbows up to three times. Furthermore, washing hands before and after meals and after using the bathroom goes without saying for Muslims.

No More Drinking & Gambling!


Covid-19 has brought what many westerners would consider as ‘night life’ to a screeching halt!

Nobody is looking forward to spending their Friday night at their local bar, or dance club, or casino. This is perfectly understandable… No reasonable person would deliberately endanger him/herself by going to such an environment where people are crowded together and risk infection.

Again, this is nothing strange for Muslims. Islam forbade alcohol and gambling 1400 years ago, and thus observant Muslims would never frequent such establishments in the first place.

Interest Rate is at 0%


The worldwide lockdown and social isolation are clearly impacting the economy, and many businesses – e.g. airlines – are struggling to survive. In response, in order to encourage spending and boost the economy, the Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates to 0% and central banks are not far behind. This is also very much in line with Islam…

Dealing in usury, or interest, is considered one of the worst sins in Islam, perhaps due to the destructive effects it has on society and the fact that it leads to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a select few at the expense of the less privileged.

Focus More on the Spiritual & Less on Material


Regardless of the governments’ desire to stimulate buying, staying at home has no doubt allowed people more time to focus on their relationships and family and less time to pursue material wealth. Isolation has probably also given some people more time to reflect on higher things, such as the meaning of life and whether they are truly attaining contentment through their careers.

This is perfectly in line with Islamic teachings which encourage believers to focus more on family than careers and isolate themselves at times during the day in order to connect with the divine. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also taught that true wealth is the contentment of the heart.

Of course, the purpose of this article is partially satire and in no way meant to suggest that Muslims are perfectly comfortable with all the recent changes in the world. Muslims worldwide have been devastated by many of the safety measures, for e.g. not being able to visit close family, or pray in congregation at the mosques, or give a proper burial to their loved ones. At the same time, I do hope that it causes people to rethink any judgments they previously held about “backward” customs found in the Muslim world. They may notice that there is some wisdom to them and that they are not as backward or barbaric as they previously thought.

Infectious Diseases: Guidelines from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)


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With the rise of the coronavirus, many people are understandably concerned about protecting themselves. Diseases and viruses have always been part of human history. This article seeks to shed light on some of Islam’s teachings regarding hygiene, infection control, and illnesses. In recent years there have been several breakouts of infectious diseases such as the swine flu, SARS, and now the coronavirus. Globalization and international travel make these infectious diseases more complicated to deal with. Air travel allows diseases to spread throughout countries and makes it difficult to contain. For instance, the coronavirus started in China but has since spread throughout most of the world. Islam is a comprehensive religion that takes every aspect of life into account, including the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human life. It is important to care for individuals, but ultimately safeguarding larger communities and the most helpless is of great importance. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, introduced and emphasized hygienic practices more than 1400 years ago, at a time when there was little understanding of how infectious diseases spread.

Hygiene in Islam


The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, referred to purity as half of faith. Purity is half of faith, and the praise of Allah fills the scale (Sahih Muslim). Similarly, the Quran states: Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (Quran 2:222). While this purity involves a spiritual aspect, it also includes physical cleanliness.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave several hygienic prescriptions that are still used today:

1. Washing hands before eating

The Prophet, peace be upon him, taught that blessings are found when one washes their hands before eating. He said: Blessing in food lies in washing the hand before and after eating (Tirmidhi).

2. Cleaning oneself after using the bathroom

When relieving oneself, the Prophet, peace be upon him, instructed his followers to use no less than three stones. Obviously, at the time, they did not have toilet paper, but this implies that one should ensure they are clean. Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, also encouraged Muslims to clean their private parts with water after using stones.

3. Washing before prayer

Muslims perform five daily prayers. In order to conduct these prayers, Muslims must be in a state of physical purity known as ablution (wudu in Arabic). This consists of washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, wiping the head, ears, and washing the feet three times. When an entire community of people do this several times a day it builds a culture of cleanliness and decreases the risk of infectious diseases.

4. Covering the Face When Sneezing

The Prophet, peace be upon him, instructed Muslims to cover their faces when sneezing. Although it may seem obvious to us today, but he taught Muslims to do this before there was an understanding of how airborne diseases spread.

Plagues and Infectious Diseases


Visiting the sick is one of the greatest good deeds a Muslim can perform. However, in cases of infectious diseases, the Prophet, peace be upon him, restricted travel and instructed people to quarantine themselves in order that the disease not spread. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: If you hear that there is a plague in a land, do not enter it; and if it (plague) visits a land while you are therein, do not go out of it (Sahih Bukhari). The Prophet, peace be upon him, was essentially instituting strategies that are implemented in modern times by public health organizations such as the center for disease control. Quarantine is essential for the comfort of the sick individual as well as the protection of the larger public. In Islamic history, several hospitals were built to prevent the spread of sicknesses. For example, in 706 the Umayyad caliph Al-Walid built the first hospital in Damascus and issued an order to isolate those infected with leprosy from other patients in the hospital. This practice continued until the Ottoman Empire until 1838.

The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, concerning infectious diseases, cleanliness, and hygiene were well ahead of his time. They were ultimately inspired by God to benefit and protect humans from illnesses and promote healthy lifestyles. Infection control is an inherent part of Islam’s teachings concerning hygiene. The guidelines that are practiced today by major health organizations are almost entirely inline and inspired by the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.

In addition to taking the necessary precautions, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught that both blessings and trials are from God, and they are an opportunity to become closer to Him. He advised to seek God’s protection in all matters, and then to accept His decree. One of the supplications he would say was, “In the name of God with Whose name nothing is harmed on the earth or in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing”