The Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Syed Sadatullah Hussaini recently gave his opinion on the Coronavirus pandemic raging all over the world. Quoting the Holy Quran, he said that the pandemic has “signs” for people who reflect. Ameer e Jamaat said: “We are experiencing an unprecedented sense of panic and fear all over the world at the same time, something that has occurred at the global level for the first time. There was fear at the time of the two Worlds Wars but the people only feared the enemy. Today we fear each other. Despite the magnificent progress in technology, we are still at the mercy of a small vagary of nature. After this pandemic subsides, we will be staring at a new world. We must reflect on the lessons that this episode teaches us. For the Muslim community, this is warning from Allah and we must turn to Him in humility and repentance both at the personal and collective level. We must ponder over the “positives” we can derive. There is scope for the reformation of the Ummah if the correct lessons are learnt through it.

Calamities highlight the “best” in people but also expose their deficiencies and inadequacies. The Coronavirus is no exception when applied to the Muslim Ummah and the community in India. The attachment and love for the ‘symbols’ of Islam (like congregational prayer, mosques) is most encouraging. One of the shortcomings of the Muslim community has been its inability to train and refine its temperament and consciousness.

The first lesson for the Muslims is to develop the correct understanding of “deen” and how to apply deductive thinking to contemporary challenges. We must understand the concepts and acts that hold primary importance and those that have secondary significance. We must know how to separate the core from the superfluous. Acts of worship like namaz and roza have these elements in their actuality. In the current situation, our Ulema has directed us to offer prayers (namaz) from home. This is according to the spirit of Islam and the correct assessment of the “core” of namaz. Many did not agree with it and is reflective of a very narrow perception of “deen”. This lack of ability to correctly deduce Islamic principles to various situations is a shortcoming that needs to be overcome through training and tarbiyah. By the Grace of God, our Ulema all over the world has displayed a very nuanced and deductive approach towards “deen”. The Islamic Movement has always emphasized on this “ijtihad e fikr” (deductive thinking). Our Ulema also took into account the temperament and spirit of the religion, kept an eye on local conditions, and consulted with subject matter experts. The Ulema modified their advice to Muslims by synchronizing it with the changing medical advice by health experts in terms of precautions and social distancing. By displaying this mature flexibility the Ulema have saved thousands of lives. The Muslim Ummah must learn from this prudence demonstrated by our Ulema. It will lead to a refined way of thinking and pave the way for tremendous transformation. The Ulema must also continue this glorious methodology that it exercised on other burning and regular issues confronting the Ummah in present times.

The second lesson pertains to science and academics. Science is the body of knowledge that seeks to explain the eternal realities of the universe which Islam calls as the “SunnatAllah” (the practice of God). The Quran has always encouraged man to use reason and undertake research on the facts of life. Our “deen” gives utmost important to logic and reason. It has therefore been the harbinger of knowledge and technology to the world. However, the world is indifferent to your history that is now part of the legacy bequeathed by your ancestors. The world wants to know your contribution today! For example, what is your contribution to finding a cure to the Coronavirus? The situation can improve if you recultivate the scientific spirit promoted by Islam. We must avoid commenting and refrain from obduracy on subjects that we have not studied and are unfamiliar with. Sometimes we insist on an opinion that goes against proven scientific facts and expert opinion. We must learn to respect the opinion of experts. This is also encouraged by Islam.

The third lesson is to practice discipline and control over our habits. We must learn to come out of our “status quo”. Introspection, readiness to change and exercise of flexibility is a pre-requisite towards repentance. How prohibition was implemented in Medina is one of the greatest examples of unconditional and exemplary social change. Today we all know that ostentatious and extravagant marriages are discouraged by Islam and yet we see it practiced by a large section of Muslim society.

The fourth lesson is to struggle in a disciplined manner to solve our problems. How the world has fought against the Coronavirus with all its intellectual and material resources is truly remarkable. The collective effort, coordination and cooperation are worth emulating. Joint-organizational efforts, discipline, evolving strategies according to conditions, risking one’s life for a noble cause, are all required to confront a huge challenge.

The Muslim Ummah also has a mission of improving the world. It has to solve a lot of global challenges. They cannot be solved by rhetoric and fancy speeches. Our approach should be practical and not academic. We must make organized efforts for improving the world. We must take the help of experts by organizing them for a noble cause. This pandemic has exposed the helplessness of humanity. We must turn to God and repent. Prayers, recitation of the Quran and the remembrance of Allah is vital for reconnecting with God. However, these lessons learned must be accorded importance, we must change and forge ahead with renewed strength.”