Like any other epidemic, coronavirus (COVID-19) has targeted all aspects of individual and social life as well as physical and psychological health in different human societies. More significantly, COVID-19 is an unknown phenomenon whose intensity and extent of impact is unforeseeable. However, the disease will definitely take its heaviest toll on the lives of the poor and the deprived. In this condition, on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, we can witness the widespread impact of coronavirus on the socio-economic life of our compatriots; as several thousands of Iranians have been infected by the disease and thousands of them have passed away while the businesses of numerous others have been severely damaged.
On the other hand, the Islamic view offers a special method for coping with problems caused by natural disasters, crises and hardships as well as proposing ways of coexistence and transition from catastrophes. The analysis of individual actions, social mechanisms and reconstructing them are only a handful of teachings given by the holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
As a matter of fact, human spiritual lifestyle undergoes changes in the midst of calamities, which in turn may lead to deterioration or development. One of the disadvantages of getting involved in public epidemics in religious societies is focusing on material affairs and ignoring the voice of heart and soul. From the view of those believers who have already passed the divine trials, catastrophes and miseries can motivate humans to the extent that they may find themselves at the doors of Gardens of Perpetual Residence.
It means that the concurrency of coronavirus outbreak with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan may turn threats into opportunities once again. Likewise, what the spirit of religious decrees teaches us is that Ramadan is the month of bliss for believers since they endeavor to achieve satisfaction of God and one of the best ways is providing assistance to the deprived. As the holy Quran points out, a sign of denying religion of Islam is being indifferent toward the sufferings of the poor and the underprivileged.
In this respect, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare has mobilized its entire executive, financial, coordination, supportive and policymaking capacities as well as those of the Supreme Council of Welfare to back the impoverished and those damaged by the spread of COVID 19. It has also been stressed that all the companies affiliated to the ministry must fulfill their social responsibility purposefully and in the best possible scale. A nationwide measure should be taken as we all have to struggle against the negative consequences of coronavirus and create a memorable epic. What occasion would be better for adopting such a measure than the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan?
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