RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh reaffirmed that it is not permissible for COVID-19 patients to mingle with others n the light of Islamic laws.
He called upon all the people in the Kingdom to strictly comply with the precautionary measures and preventive protocols announced by the authorities to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The Grand Mufti attributed the increase in the number of people infected with the disease in a number of countries to the negligence in adhering to precautionary measures.
He noted that health is a great blessing and therefore all people should strive to preserve their health and refrain from doing things that afflict or harm them such as diseases and epidemics.
“Islam has put in place preventive means to protect a person from getting sick, and it made cleanliness half of the faith. Islam emphasises the aspect of preventing diseases before they are infected and transmitted to humans,” he stated.
“The infected people and those in contact with them should be quarantined. It is not permissible for such people to go out and mix with others, and if someone does that, he is committing a great sin as it harms others and infects them with this dangerous disease and it may even lead to the loss of innocent souls,” he added.
He urged those who come from outside the Kingdom to stay indoors until after the end of the quarantine period specified by the concerned authorities.
The Grand Mufti said that the government has made great efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus by adopting all the possible ways and means, and these included a set of precautionary measures that have positive effects in limiting and controlling the spread of the epidemic and reducing infections.
He warned against laxity in complying with the precautionary measures and preventive protocols and that led to an increase in daily infection cases, burdening the health system and other for officials and the general public.
He called on the public to adhere to wearing a mask while going out and while mixing with others, and keeping physical distancing in places where there is mixing between people.
