Faith column: Follow the Golden Rule to keep yourself and others safe during pandemic

The current pandemic has brought back memories of another pandemic I experienced as a child in North Africa. Starting in 1961 and originating in Asia, the seventh cholera pandemic was moving annually toward African and European countries. In 1965, the threat of a major outbreak of cholera forced the health officials in my native Algeria to vaccinate the population. I vividly remember being in a line of people outside and getting my vaccination. Fortunately, the anticipated and dreaded pandemic never reached North Africa that year, but the threat lingered for several more years.

There is a major difference between that cholera pandemic and the current coronavirus pandemic, which has affected the entire globe in a matter of months. The scary thing about this new virus is that it is highly contagious and none of us has immunity to it. The most vulnerable in our society, especially the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, are at higher risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Expert immunologists and doctors have warned us all that until we find an effective vaccine against the coronavirus, the best tools for fighting its spread and impact are good hygiene and social distancing, including quarantining at home if necessary.

Some of these common-sense directives were promoted by the Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago when science was hardly as developed as it is today. He instructed his followers with the following advice: “If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.” In another maxim, he is reported to have said, “Those with contagious diseases should be kept away from those who are healthy.”

The Prophet also exalted the virtues of good personal hygiene by declaring that “cleanliness is part of faith.” Muslims, who pray five times daily, must wash their hands, face and feet before each prayer in a purification ritual. In several maxims, the Prophet instructed his followers to wash their hands when they woke up, as well as before and after eating. It has been surmised that hand-washers, including Jews and Muslims, experienced less ravages from plagues during the Middle Ages than did other cultures in the Western and Eastern parts of the world.

The Prophet always encouraged ill people to seek medical treatment and medication. In a well-known maxim, he said: “Make use of medical treatment for God has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of old age.” This is why I am fairly optimistic that it is only a matter of time before a vaccine is developed against the coronavirus.

Even though the Prophet was not a “traditional” expert in epidemiology or immunology, he left us some sound advice for dealing with diseases and pandemics. The best thing to remember about his advice is that we should never stop using the mind that God gave us.

During a crisis such as the current pandemic, the line between religion and superstition gets blurred when some religious leaders promote very risky behavior instead of using common sense. When some faith groups meet in large congregations to worship in close quarters, they are not using reason or common sense.

In my last column, I wrote that Karen Armstrong, a well-known religious author, was quoted as saying that “the Golden Rule is not an option – it’s the key to our common survival.” The current crisis is a real test of the Golden Rule in our lives, as to whether we treat others as we would like them to treat us. If some people are hoarding food and medical supplies, they need to think about their neighbors who are in need or hungry, and about medical workers and others who are exposing themselves to high danger because they cannot find the protective gear they need.

We should always listen to qualified medical experts, who are the best people to give us advice on how we can keep safe. We are feeling vulnerable and anxious right now, but we can stay safe by following common-sense measures.

Finally, there is an interesting conjunction of events happening during this month of April. The three Abrahamic faiths will be celebrating Passover for Jews, Easter for Christians, and the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims. Let us take this opportunity to remind ourselves that we are in this crisis together — and together, we will get out of it, as long as we take care of each other.

This too shall pass.