Forcing people to wear the mask
Q: There is a view amongst some Muslim Scholars during this Covid Pandemic that one should have Tawakkul and ignore the government protocol and recommendations. Even our children in Madrasah are being told to remove their masks, while their schools insist on masks being worn.
Did our Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and his noble Sahabah (radhiyallahu anhum) not wear body armour for protection in preparation for wars? In doing so, did they not have Tawakkul? If these were worn to offer some protection why is our wearing masks and exercising social distancing viewed by some as having no faith in Allah Ta'ala?
The statistics speak for themselves - Muslims make up around 2% of the South African population but account on some days for close up to 30% of the fatalities countrywide. Should the Ulama not be cognizant of this and guide the community accordingly?
A: There is a difference of opinion among the medical experts regarding whether wearing the mask can prevent one from being affected by the virus. There are many people who, despite wearing the mask, contracted the virus, and there are many people who, despite not wearing the mask, did not contract the virus. Hence, when this is not something categorically proven, then to force and impose on people who do not feel comfortable wearing the mask is regarded as ghulu (adopting extremism) in one's deen.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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