Pandemics between Christianity and the Islam: The Corona (COVID-19) Pandemic as a case study

Abstract

This research paper covers the presentation, analysis and comparison of the positions held by Christianity and Islam towards the Corona (COVID-19) pandemic. Included are the following issues: The origin of the pandemic, the wisdom behind it, the prevention of it and its relationship in regards to the Day of Resurrection.

RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS: This research clearly shows the superiority of Islam in articles of creed and jurisdiction concerning the prevention of the pandemics over Christianity with its false understandings of creed. Furthermore, there is a complete absence of any text from their scriptures concerning the prevention of such a pandemic. DETAILS: Concerning the origin of the pandemic: This research shows clearly the superiority of Islam in creed and jurisdiction articles concerning the prevention of the pandemics over Christianity with its false understandings of the creed. Furthermore, there is a complete absence of any text from their scriptures concerning the prevention of such a pandemic. The Muslims, however, believe that the corona (COVID-19) pandemic is a form of Allah’s consistent testing of the people and that it constitutes a display of His Divine Preordained Decree and punishment from Allah. Islam refuses to attribute the source of the pandemic to Adam’s sin. There isn’t any relationship between mankind and the sin of their forefather Adam. The reason being, Allah has already forgiven him his sin and accepted his repentance.

Concerning the wisdoms of the pandemic: The Christians believe that the corona (COVID-19) pandemic prompts people to repentance and correction of themselves. The Muslims believe that the pandemic is to encourage fear in the hearts of the people, prompt them to repentance and that it’s a mercy for the Muslims and a hope for achieving martyrdom. Meaning, for one that dies due to the pandemic while showing patience.

Concerning the prevention of the pandemic: Christianity is absent from any preventive measures from the corona (COVID-19) pandemic So, there’s no concern about physical hygiene among them, and they rely on the scrolls of the Torah regarding the containment of one inflicted with a contagious disease. Prevention in Islam, however, is in many and various ways. Such as the concern for physical purification in the Noble Quran. The guidelines of our Prophet Muhammad – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – are abundant in preventive measures, such as the concern for personal hygiene, the severe warning against contagious deceases, and the forbiddance of mixing; healthy people with the sick ones. All this proves his prophethood and that these are forms of knowledge that came to him by way of revelation. Christianity is absent from any preventive measures for the corona (COVID-19) pandemic. So, there’s no concern about physical hygiene among them, and they rely on the scrolls of the Torah regarding the containment of one inflicted with a contagious disease. Concerning the relationship between the pandemic and the Day of Resurrection: Most Christians believe that the occurrence of pandemics is from the signs of the second coming of the Messiah (Jesus) and the nearing of the (day of) Resurrection. Some of them identify the corona (COVID-19) pandemic as being a sign of this coming, while some of them deny this. The Muslims believe that the abundance of people’s death due to pandemics befalling them, similar to colds, is considered to be one of the smaller signs of the Hour.