Umrah and Swine Flu
As-salamu alaykum. There are some people who argue and suggest that people should not go to Umrah these days to avoid being infected with swine flu? What do you think from a Shariah perspective?
Alhamdu-li-llah wa as-Salatu wa as-Salamu ‘ala Rasool-il-llah,
The concern is legitimate, but the conclusion is mistaken at this point. Swine flu, though serious and may mutate, is not as deadly as some people may think. There have been 3 deaths in the USA out of more than 2000 infections, and one of them was a Mexican child and the other one had various health problems from before. It is also not prevalent in Muslim countries where the majority of pilgrims come from.
People who go there may take the necessary precautions as advised by their physicians.
The decision to suspend making ‘Umrah should be deferred to a board of scholars and experts in medicine and public health, not individuals. That is how we Muslims should handle such matters of great importance and wide impact.
Allah knows best.