6th March 2020
During the Friday sermon delivered by His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) spoke about the coronavirus and gave certain guidelines.
His Holiness (aba) stated that everyone ought to adhere to the various guidelines and precautionary measures set out by the governments and health institutions.
His Holiness (aba) also advised to take relevant homeopathy medicines both as a precautionary measure as well as for treatment. It may not be the exact medicine as little is known about this exact strain of the virus, but in any case, it is still the closest form of treatment in homeopathy. May Allah the Almighty grant cure through this.
His Holiness (aba) added that the precautionary measures [outlined by the health departments] should be observed and also avoid large public gatherings.
He then stated that there are certain etiquettes of the mosques which should also be observed. If anyone feels the relevant symptoms, such as fever etc. they should avoid coming to mosque.
People often complain that when some people sneeze, they do not cover their face with their hands or a handkerchief. One ought to be mindful of the rights of those praying around them.
Doctors are currently advising to keep the hands and face clean, and to regularly wash the hands or keep them sanitised.
His Holiness (aba) stated that generally, it has been observed that owing to panic buying there is a shortage of hand sanitisers and other sanitary paraphernalia. However, for a Muslim who prays five times a day and performs the ablution correctly; which includes washing of hands and rinsing the nose etc., this is not only a means of physical cleanliness, but is also spiritual cleanliness as he would then offer the prayer.
He mentioned that in these days one ought to especially focus their attention towards prayer.
Among the other etiquettes of the mosque, His Holiness (aba) mentioned that one ought to wear a clean pair of socks each day. In fact, anything which could give off a foul smell should not be brought to the mosque, this includes eating foods with strong odours, as this can cause disturbance to the other worshippers. Therefore, everyone coming to the mosque ought to be mindful of their personal hygiene and also the cleanliness of the mosque.
His Holiness (aba) stated that this does not mean that one should completely avoid coming to the mosque, rather everyone should assess their own condition and take the necessary precautions.
Among the precautionary measures it is said in light of the current circumstances, it is better that one avoids shaking hands.
On the issue of not shaking hands, His Holiness (aba) stated that recently a minister in Germany refused to shake hands with the Chancellor [Angela Merkel] as a precautionary measure. In light of the current circumstances, a Member of Parliament in the UK encouraged not to shake hands and stated that this was not even their tradition, as they would either salute or take off their hats. He even mentioned that when meeting women, they hug and embrace them, but they are unaware if these gestures are even welcomed by them.
Although they are unwilling to adhere to the commandments set out by God Almighty, in any case, through the coronavirus their attention is being drawn towards this. His Holiness (aba) prayed that they be guided towards God Almighty.
His Holiness (aba) stated that they would oppose the teachings of Islam in this regard, but Ahmadi Muslims however would always advise them through love and explain their teachings. On the other hand, it has also been observed that out of fear of the coronavirus, people are not only refusing to shake hands with one another, some are doing so in a rude manner and have forsaken common courtesy.
His Holiness (aba) then said that only God Almighty knows to what extent this epidemic will spread. If this is a result of the divine wrath of God, just as there has been a significant increase in epidemics and natural disasters after the advent of the Promised Messiah (as), then one ought to focus their attention towards prayers and increase their spirituality. In the end he prayed for God Almighty to enable the world to recognise its True Creator.