Fatwa on Swine Flu Safety

 

 

Swine Flu is spreading very fast and causing a lot of public concern in United States and other countries of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control in US (CDC) have already issued advisories to the general public. We urge Muslims to exercise necessary precautions in this matter.  It is an Islamic teaching that in the situation of wide spread infections, people living in infected areas should be careful not to move around in order to avoid spreading infections. Similarly those who are healthy should avoid traveling to infested areas in order to protect themselves, unless they are needed as doctors or health workers.  Allah says in the Qur’an, “Do not contribute to your destruction with your own hands…” (2:195) The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, “If you are in a land and plague breaks out there, then do not leave that place. If you are told that it is spreading in some land and you are not there, then do not go there.” (Muslim, Hadith no. 5731)

 

In the light of these instructions the Fiqh Council of North America emphasizes that Muslims should take CDC advisories seriously. Those who are affected by any symptoms of this flu should avoid shaking hands and coming into close contacts with others. They are allowed in this situation to pray at home and not go to the Masjid for congregational prayers, until they are healthy. The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, “A sick person (with contagious disease) must not be brought among the healthy.” (Abu Dau’ud, Hadith 3911)

 

In case there is a Swine Flu pandemic, public assemblies might be curtailed. In that situation it will be allowed for the Masajid to issue special instructions regarding Jama’ah (congregational) and Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers considering the general welfare of their communities and cooperating with local authorities to maintain public health and safety.

 

We must also make individual and collective du’a asking Allah to remove this affliction and bless us all.

 

Fiqh Council of North America

 

 

Swine Flu: Information and How the Muslim Community Can Help*

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses

(as opposed to bacteria) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine

flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread

from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond

three people. Therefore one can become infected with the virus even if she/he has no

contact with pigs or does not eat pork.

Is swine flu virus contagious?

Yes. It has been determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to

human.

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu

viruses are spread mainly from:

• Person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.

• Touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your mouth or nose.

• An important and often overlooked mode of transmission (for Muslims) is during sujud

– someone making sujud on a place after an infected person made sujud earlier and

unknowingly contaminated the area for sujud.

• Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop

and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass

on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

• We know that some viruses can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables,

doorknobs, and desks – thus an infected person need not be in your presence to infect

you.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

• Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your

stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

• Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or other disinfectants to which you are

not allergic.

• Use your personal rug or small mat (even if it is small enough for only your head to make

sujud) for prayers in masjids or public places.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus?

• Muslims (as everyone else) have a responsibility to protect others. The health and

welfare of a community takes precedence over personal conveniences.

• If you are sick,

o Limit your contact with other people as much as possible.

o Do not go to work or school.

o Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

o Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your mouth when coughing or

sneezing if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time

you cough or sneeze.

o Do not go to the masjid or any other public gathering place.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Symptoms include:

• Influenza-like illness symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat

• Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, headache, chills, fatigue,

and shortness of breath.

• Severe disease can result in pneumonia and respiratory failure

What to do if you think you have swine flu

• Protect others by coughing or sneezing into a facial tissue.

• Avoid going to public places.

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Contact your physician who will then direct you what to do next, since she/he knows

your medical history.

• If you decide to go to an emergency room, call before you go.

NOTE:

It may be necessary that Imam and other leaders of your masjid will be required to close

the masjid and center – even for jumma and other congregational prayers, including

taraweeh. This decision should be made in consultation with appropriate health and

government agencies. The situation and required actions may differ from state to state and

from local community to local community. Please cooperate.

For more information go to the CDC web site http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

*Adapted in part from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention

 

 

http://www.isna.net/Documents/Root/SwineFluFinalDocument.pdf