Hujjat al-Islam Mir Athar Ali said, “According to the health advice, in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus among everyone, it’s necessary for us to refrain from attending public and religious places and gatherings.” RNA – In an exclusive interview with Rasa News Agency, Hujjat al-Islam Mir Athar Ali, an Indian teacher and cleric in Qom, said that Muslims are facing a special situation due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) epidemic and said, “From the Islamic point of view, the first step in dealing with problems such as the Coronavirus is self-care and the prevention of falling into the abyss of such diseases. Our religious texts have required us to take the necessary precautions in this situation.”
Referring to the verses of the Holy Quran, he added, “In verse 195 of Surah al-Baqarah [The Heifer], God Almighty says, ‘and do not cast yourselves with your own hands into destruction’ which means the prohibition of negligence and carelessness that leads to human destruction. Also, in verse of Surah al-Tahrim [The Banning], God says, ‘Oh you who have faith! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel will be people and stones’ which means that the people must take care of their families in the face of danger.”
Hujjat al-Islam Ali added, “It’s our responsibility to urge ourselves and the public to take the medical precautions prescribed by the health department seriously in order to stay safe from this epidemic.”
He called for special attention to the commands regarding purity and cleanliness by the Prophet Muhammad given the current situation and stated, “Islam has emphasized cleanliness and the observation of the health issues that the Prophet explained as part of faith and the morality of the prophets.”
Hujjat al-Islam Ali considered adherence to the Ahl al-Bayt and taking refuge in God Almighty as the way to salvation and said, “Supplication, worship and tawassul (resorting) are necessary to earn a living or to ward off tribulation and salvation but it isn’t enough. That is, through prayer we can draw the cause of divine mercy to ourselves but Islam tells us that we must not neglect our other duties in addition to our own.”
Rasa News Agency
112/978