Nothing Matters More Than a Good Health
Bismillah and Assalamualaikum dear readers!
Today, I would like to write about 3rd item in Sustainable Development Goals which is Good Health and Well Being. This SDG can relate much with our situation now, as Covid-19 is still spreading throughout the world.
In March 2020, Malaysians have been shocked by the outbreak of Coronavirus disease or commonly known as Covid-19 in this country. The Covid-19 case is firstly detected on 31 December 2019 in Wuhan City, China, when there were cases of pneumonia of unknown cause were informed to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Until 21 April 2021, there were 142,557,268 confirmed cases of Covid-19 globally that have been reported to the WHO, including 3,037,398 deaths. This amount is a very huge number, and it is worrying people all around the world. WHO then declared the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020, and on 11 March 2020, it has considered a pandemic.
People were so worried and scared as this pandemic is very easy yet fast spreading. Researches have been done by scientists all around the world lead to the foundation of Covid-19 vaccines such as BioNTech, Pfizer and Oxford, Astrazeneca vaccine. These vaccines then distributed to countries and up until 20 April 2021, a total of 889,827,023 vaccine doses have been administered.
In conjunction with preventing the spread of Covid-19, enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and setting of Covid-19 Standard Operation of Procedures (SOP) have been done by the Malaysian Government. This implementation of MCO and SOPs is very crucial in flattening the curve of Covid-19 positive cases.
Some of the SOPs that have been developed by the National Security Council (Majlis Keselamatan Negara, MKN) and Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) are:
Since this pandemic is changing people's situations, I noticed that people are getting more aware of the importance of helping each other whether in offering financial aids or mental support. There were lots of charity fundraisings that have been made to help the needy and our frontliners.
For instance, at the starting of this outbreak, people are working together to prepare medical equipment such as for the doctors and nurses as at that time the stocks are really limited. This situation made me feel touched because people, regardless of their gender, race, religion and also status are united.
As for mental support, it is very significant because Covid-19 has left a major effect, not only on adults but also children; people lose their jobs because of the closing of some sectors leading to financial issues. This kind of situation changed their lives 180 degrees, from having stable work with enough monthly salary to unstable life real quick. Not to forget, the extreme fear of contracting the virus can turn into anxiety.
The enforcement of MCO is adding their stress because we need to stay at home. This means people need to work from home with unconducive surrounding such as disturbance from their children and internet connection problem.
This problem also applies well to the students. They need to catch up on online classes and doing school tasks or assignments with limited sources of references. Staying at home without any physical interaction with family members and friends will also make someone feel isolated and lonely, which can lead to anxiety and depression.
We need to learn ways to cope with stress in a healthy way for a better life. These are some ways that we can apply, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Take breaks from watching, reading,
or listening to news stories,
including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but hearing about
the pandemic constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a
couple of times a day and disconnecting from phone, television, and computer
screens for a while.
- Take care of your body.
· Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
· Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
· Exercise regularly.
· Get plenty of sleep.
· Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
· Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.
· Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine when available.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns
and how you are feeling.
- Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.
This SDG is in line with the Maqasid al-Shariah in the context of Hifz al-Nafs and Hifz al-'Aql. Hifz al-Nafs means Protecting Lives, while Hifz al-'Aql is Protecting Mind.
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| Maqasid al-Shariah in Islam |
The Coronavirus disease believed to come from a virus that originated in bats. It then made a jump to humans at one of Wuhan's open-air wet markets and contaminated the customers and sellers there. It is also believed that wet markets there sell wild or banned species like wild boars, cobras, raccoons and pangolins which are killed on the spot. This is why Islam emphasises the importance of hygiene in all aspects, as stated in al-Quran Surah al-Maidah verse 3 and 88:
"Prohibited to
you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been
dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a
violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from
which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before
its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is]
that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience.
This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so
fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and
completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But
whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed,
Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (al-Maidah 5:3)
And
eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear
Allah, in whom you are believers. (al-Maidah 5:88)
These two verses clearly show that Islam has prescribed dietary guidelines for us, especially Muslims to follow, which is allowed food (halal) and forbidden food (haram). The 'Halalan Thoyyiban' concept means allowed to be eaten or taken and must be from a clean, known source. The animals have to be slaughtered according to the correct way in Islam, therefore it is allowed to be eaten.
Muslims also should avoid any foods or drinks that fall on the grey line (syubhah) which is in between the halal and haram. From this Covid-19 situation, I can clearly see the cause behind the forbiddance of these foods and drinks and the importance of keeping ourselves clean, from all aspects.
To sum up, every event that happens in this life has its own silver lining. We need to reflect on our actions, the impact from them - what will happen to us, to others, and the world. Sometimes, we are the cause behind all the incidents or problems that occurred. Last but not least, we need to be grateful for what we have and to be responsible for what we have done.
Until then,
Amirah
References:
WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard | WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard With Vaccination Data
COVID-19: Understanding the SOP | SPM (um.edu.my)
Mental health and COVID-19 (who.int)
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 | CDC
Implementing Maqasid al-Shariah during COVID-19 pandemic – USIM | UNIVERSITI SAINS ISLAM MALAYSIA
Halal Eating and Drinking: The Islamic Dietary Law (learnreligions.com)
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