Letters to the Editor

Q: I am married… its almost  3 years, and I have a kid… I am passing through very difficult situation..

I was living with my husband in Saudia but we were having some issues. Our arguments were endless. When situation became worse he sent me back to my home… Now he has realized his mistake and I too have realized my error ..

We really want to give a new start..and live together in Saudi Arabia, but now our case involves both our parents. My in-laws already have some issues with my parents.. which is worsened now… now both families made it an ego issue… they are against any compromise.

My husband is now here on vacation but he gives priority to his family. .. his family has been very rude to me these years…his mother speaks very bad words to me .. they speak badly about me and my family character. .. Actually they are showing this behavior from the first day of my marriage… they send me to my parent’s house by blaming me unnecessarily. .. my marriage  is now in a bad condition… how should I continue this marriage?

s.u.@gmail.com

YMD

Husband-wife differences are common. But, it is gladdening to hear that you and your husband have decided to reconcile and that you will be joining him in Saudi Arabia again.

Your child misses his father, and his father misses the child. These are the most precious days for you three. Don’t lose the joy of these days and so the decision to come together is a wise one. Remember that this life doesn’t give much happiness. So, don’t waste away your joys over petty quarrels.

If you two have decided to live together again, it is none of the business of both families to interfere. No one has any Shari`ah right to prevent you two from living together.

Let the two families sort out their problems between themselves. They should not involve you or your husband.

Tell them both this frankly, and if they insist on preventing you and your husband from coming together, do not listen to any of them.

If nothing works, then, one day take your child and go to the air-port where your husband should be waiting with the tickets. You all fly away leaving your word behind for your two parents that you are sorry for such an escape, but you had no choice.

In the circumstance that you describe, this kind of behavior is not allowable in the Shari`ah. You both needed the agreement of parents of the two sides. That was so, before marriage, but, after marriage, no more.

Similarly, if any of the parents objects to you living together during your husband’s stay in India, hire a room in a hotel for his vacation period.

I advise you to send a copy of this mail to your husband.

The two families of yours need to realize that by coming in the way of you and your husband, they are committing such a crime as Allah disliked and mentioned in the Qur’an to the effect that the worst crime ever that the Israelites could commit was separation of husband and wife with the help of magic.

Q: Concerning the outbreak of the Disease Covid-19, many people have been questioning about whether the disease is a product of some sort of biological warfare or is a Punishment from Allah so could u please shed some light on it and present to us your view.

YMD

To say about any event that it is Allah’s punishment or reward is to cross the limits. It is only a Prophet who receives messages from his Lord, who can make such statements. Others, bereft of such a source, may hold no opinion save that all is from Allah; that it could not have come without His leave, and that for a mu’min there is open and hidden good for him.

Furthermore, a believer should bear any unwelcome occurrence with patience to emerge spiritually unscratched and unscathed, whole and hearty, treating it as a trial for him. But that is for himself. He may not imagine that it is a trial for others, but leave the affair to them to judge for themselves. He may not tell them, for instance, that it is a punishment for their evil deeds. If he did so, he might be lying. He can in general terms state that “In view of what is happening, we all need to turn to Allah in repentance.”

Q: I have come across this hadith (pls. refer to the attachment) last year and had asked u regarding it and u responded in the positive saying there are no infectious diseases.  How am I to practice on this taking into consideration the current outbreak of the Disease Covid-19? 

Karimi@yahoo.com

YMD

The hadith of your reference says, in effect, “There is no such thing as an infection, nor any such thing as a bad omen.”

So true. A disease does not spread all by itself, but spreads by Allah’s command and will. The disease itself has no power.

From rational point of view, if the disease spreads by its own will, then, everyone should be sick. But we experience only a small percent being affected. For example, only around 300,000 people have been infected by the virus out of a population of about 800,000,000,000, that is, 1 in 27,000. This shows that the virus is not spreading by its own will but rather by Allah’s will.

Someone told us that he was suffering from a flu virus. He said, it came from his mother. First she became sick, and now others.

We asked him about who was taking care of his mother? He said, his brother:“He is with her 24 hours.” We asked him, “Have you not shared the responsibility?“ He said, “No, my brother is enough.” We asked him, “Has he been affected?” He said, “No!”

So, you see, before the belief concerning infection took root in him, he did not consider that the one taking care of the infected is not sick, whereas one who stayed away is.

This demonstrates that viruses have no will of their own, and, they do not choose their direction. It is Allah. Indeed, viruses may enter bodies, but some will show symptoms and some will not. This is not determined by viruses. They penetrate bodies of many without the victims falling sick.

`Umar’s chief officer, an ex-checker, was a victim of leprosy. `Umar was often seen eating with him from the same plate. Some scholars have commented that this was because of `Umar’s firm faith.

As for a precautionary measure, one may or may not adopt. If precautionary measures are resorted to or not resorted, a Mu’min’s belief should remain that no power can stop entry of a virus, save Allah.

The subject of contagion is greater than the above lines, which could be presented as an article, some time, Allah willing.

Q: The question being asked is, in view of the global crisis because of coronavirus and loss of lives in such large numbers, is it advisable to go the mosque?

M.Z.Z@gmail.com

YMD

It is neither global, nor a crisis, nor casualties in large numbers.

Out of 195 nations of the world only nine have suffered in mentionable numbers. These 8 countries are: China, Italy, USA, Iran, Brazil, Spain, Germany, France, and U.K. They have registered more than 15000 cases, 18 countries have registered more than 1000, and the other 172 countries, less than 100. 40 countries have recorded less than 10, while the figures for 19 countries are not available.

So, basically it is 9 versus 187. What then is the basis for calling it global?

According to figures released by WHO, during 2018 alone 75 million (75,000,000) people were infected globally by the Aides virus, of whom some 32 million (32,000,000) died that year. In comparison, some 13,000 people have so far died because of coronavirus globally. How does this compare with 32 million?

So, this one is no crisis. The media has created panic and has successfully punctured minds of the people. Consequently, chickens have been scared and common sense expelled.

As for entering mosques, it is safe to say that you may keep going to them for five daily prayers as usual. If the authorities lock them down, seek Allah’s forgiveness, because of the likelihood that Allah is angry with us, and has shut the doors of His houses in our face. It is as if: “stay away you unbelievers.”

You may in that event offer Prayers in parks, open spaces, and at home in Jama`ah if the congregation has 3 or more devotees.