When the Grand Mosque and the Prophet Muhammad SAW were Closed

After the number of positive corona in Saudi Arabia reached 1,000 people, the government which served as the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina immediately took anticipatory steps by closing down and quarantining three strategic areas, namely Mecca, Medina and Riyadh.

Mecca and Medina, which is a holy city with a long historical setting up to the time of the Prophet Adam, is a place for human gatherings to perform the pilgrimage and umrah, and pilgrimage to the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad who became the heart of Muslim spirituality.

On ordinary days, the two holy cities were never devoid of pilgrims. Muslims from all over the world long for being able to attend worship directly in the two holy cities. Just look at the length of our pilgrims who could reach 25 years. Our umrah congregation is also booming, both people who live in urban and rural areas.

Saudi Arabia actually gained a sizable financial gain from the pilgrimage and umrah. In fact, Saudi Arabia is currently expanding the Grand Mosque to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims and Umrah. Saudi Arabia is developing a grand plan to make Umrah a source of state finance, alongside the vision of the NEOM 2030 megaprogject.

But when the corona outbreak began to penetrate Saudi Arabia, preventive measures were taken by the kingdom. The first step was taken by closing the Umrah worship services from various countries that were suspected of having corona positive patients, including Indonesia.

The move felt heavy for the Umrah pilgrims, but Saudi Arabia took it to prevent a greater impact. The Grand Mosque was completely closed to pilgrims, including those of Saudi Arabia. And now Saudi Arabia is taking firm steps to quarantine Mecca, Medina and Riyadh. That means, the Haram Mosque and the Prophet Muhammad Mosque will not be allowed on pilgrimage for a while.

The move by Saudi Arabia did not cause a strong reaction from any country, including the Islamic world. Because other Muslim countries have already taken steps to close the mosque to perform congregational prayers, including Friday prayers.

Egypt, for example, has closed the mosque in two weeks by changing the editorial of the call to prayer ‘alash salat (let's pray) into ala shallu fi buyutikum (you should pray in your homes).

The al-Azhar mosque, which is usually crowded with Egyptians and students from all over the world, was closed for two weeks to prevent the spread of the corona virus. The mosque, which has been a place of congregational prayers and religious education forums, must follow a health protocol stating the need for social distancing.

Saudi Arabia's move to quarantine for Mecca, Medina, and Riyadh is a bitter endeavor that must be taken, due to the overwhelming fact that those who were asked positively corona, which caused death, including those who last had a history of performing Umrah before closure.

Corona outbreak is not an ordinary outbreak, but an extraordinary outbreak. He is a deadly plague. In the past, this kind of event is well recorded, including the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the time of the caliph Umar bin Khattab. Quarantine and social restrictions are steps that must be taken, because if it can not be fatal to the loss of life.

Imam Ahmad in his Musnad noted several friends who died due to the plague, including Abu Ubaidah al-Jarrah and Mu'adz bin Jabal. In many books, it is mentioned that Mua'dz bin Jabal called on people to settle in their respective homes, both those who lived in the mountains and the mainland. In essence, quarantine and social restrictions are one of the efforts to prevent the spread of epidemics, so that they do not take a bigger toll. Therefore, Mua'dz bin Jabal is known as a figure who once called for the importance of quarantine and social restrictions in the time of the plague.

Ibn Hajar in the book 'Inba' al-Ghumr bi Abna al-‘Umr recorded the deadly plague in Mecca, including at the Grand Mosque. Noted at least 40 people die every day. Even in a month there are about 1,700 people die. The incident caused people to make the decision not to offer prayers at the Grand Mosque.

Therefore, although the policy to quarantine the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is a decision that feels bitter, but in it holds great benefits, namely saving the lives of many people. The scholars put forward the benefits rather than harm. And in essence Islam strongly emphasizes the dimension of ease rather than the dimension of difficulty, let alone complicate oneself and others.

In that context, actually we can take valuable lessons. If the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque are quarantined to avoid and prevent the spread of the plague, then in fact our mosques are also legitimate, and even recommended to be closed during an outbreak.

Remember that our religion, especially Islam, emphasizes the importance of the salvation of the souls of each of its people. Religion in an era of epidemics must prioritize public safety and benefit. We are encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad to be religious by using reason and conscience. Therefore religion without reason and conscience will plunge us into the pit of destruction, including loss of life.

From our homes, we should pray for the plague to pass quickly, and all the efforts of medical experts and scientists will soon find a way out of this plague. In the belief of every religion, every disease has a cure. And may God provide the best solution for all of us, and this country will soon be free and free of this deadly plague. Amen Allahumma amen.

Zuhairi Misrawi scholar Nahdlatul Ulama, Middle East political and thought analyst at The Middle East Institute, Jakarta