Yesterday, the country received news that there were positive cases of COVID-19 recorded from attendees of a tabligh gathering held between 28 February to 1 March 2020.
It was estimated around 10,000 people attended (12,000 according to the vice president of the mosque in a news article) with participants from various countries – approximately from 25 countries.
The case started receiving headlines the moment Brunei recorded its first case, which was linked to the event. The cases in the country went up to 10 in just 1 day after they found the first case.
Today, Singapore announced that it will temporarily close all mosques in the country after 2 of the 95 Singaporeans who attended the event were tested positive for COVID-19.
It is probably the largest gathering with COVID-19 cases among its participants recorded in the world thus far. As usual, we hear many noises, some defensive in view of the nature of the event.
I’m with the usual stance – it has happened, probably destined to happen. No one can turn the clock to undo what has happened.
Right now, it is not about finding who is right or wrong – its pointless and irrelevant.
The more important question is: what do we do next?
This itself, is a test of its own – on how we are to be responsible and be considerate to others in the community.
We live in a community, everyone has the right over another. Everyone takes care of another. These are the basics of Islam. It is not a religion of solitude, where one lives on its own – it is a religion of community and solidarity.
Hence why the social guidances given by the Almighty via Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are all based on this fundamental base. This includes an explicit advice on how to manage outbreaks of plague:
Usamah bin Zaid (RA): the Prophet (SAW) said, “If you get wind of the outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; and if it breaks out in a land in which you are, do not leave it.”
Bukhari and Muslim
And it is our responsibility to put in our best efforts and ability to manage whatever necessary within our control, which falls back to the famous hadith on tying your camel:
At-Tirmidhi
Anas ibn Malik reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, should I tie my camel and trust in Allah, or should I leave her untied and trust in Allah?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Tie her and trust in Allah.” –
So – I beg of you my brothers and sisters: be responsible, be considerate.
