Written by Landing Nyassi:
Seedi Ali Janneh the Sweden based Gambian Imam Weighs in on "Coronavirus Misinformation"
In an audio delivered to a Bakau WhatsApp forum the venerable Imam cautioned those proclaiming that reciting certain prayer verses from the Qur'an or hadith will save one from the virus. "Reciting a verse of the Qur'an or Hadith and ignoring the advice of health professionals is not going to save anyone from this deadly disease" the Imam cautioned.
He said that currently the "Kabba" in Mekka and the "Masjid" of the prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Medina are on lockdown for "Umrah", if there was any verse or hadith that offers protection from this deadly disease they would have recited it and sprinkled it on these places and continue on a normal routine but they did not. They have taken the necessary precautionary measures as advised by health professionals Imam Janneh buttressed.
He said even Allah the Almighty has warned believers in the Qur'an not to throw themselves into destruction. Claiming to recite something from the holy book for protection from this disease and continue to be negligent on precautionary measures is throwing yourself into destruction he reiterated.
The Imam went on to close his advice by relaying the verse of the Qur'an that says "Fas alu Ahlal zikr inkuntum la talamun" the closest in meaning of which is "ask those who know if you don't know". We should put our trust in Allah but also Listen to the advice of those who have knowledge on this matter; the health professionals and take the necessary precautionary measures to stay safe he emphasized.
Written by L.Nyassi
Note : the Audio was in Mandinka and the Imam's message was summarized by the author.
Photo: Imam Seedy Ali Janneh