Mahdavi Doctors Association released Recommendations and Guidelines for Funerals (Ghusl & Namaaz-e-Janaza) in the wake of COVID-19 for Mehdavia Community

As the world is witnessing a very dangerous pandemic of the spread of COVID19. Almost all the countries are facing challenges to treat and control its spread using all possible ways.The General acceptance is prevention is better than cure. In order to prevent this pandemic all the countries are following Lock Down & Quarantine very effectively. Though there is enough educational material available on how to prevent this deadly disease, and a detailed video of our brother Dr. Basharath Mehdi (Lodon) [Click here to watch the video], there is no guidelines on what should be done if there is any death due to COVID-19. As the Quran Says كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْت Every soul shall taste death, we should also know the procedure to do the last rites properly.

In order to find a solution for this, a group of doctors our Mehdavia Community, who are spread across the world, had a detailed discussion over a video conference on 19^th April 2020, in which over 40+ doctors participated. After a detailed brainstorming & consulting with their peers the doctors formed a task force and went ahead draft a set of recommendations & guidelines to be observed while conducting funerals.

The Mehdavi Doctors Association felt that it is their responsibility to help the authorities to control this spread to safeguard themselves and fellow citizens. They have appealed all our community members to co-operate with the police personnel and follow the recommendations of the government agencies

In a 14-page document which got released today (23 April 2020) they have advised to Implement the guidelines for the ritual bathing (ghusl) and burial of the dead irrespective of whether the death is due to Covid19 or not. It addresses some of General guidelines, Recommendations on Ghusl & Recommendations on Namaz e Janaza.

The Recommendations and Guidelines were made by a team of five doctors, which was further revived by more than 100 doctors from our community. I personally know at many of these doctors, who are not only active in their professions but also are practicing Mehdavi Muslims too, and I have personally spent good time with them, discussing various socio-religious issues and challenges. In order to ensure that the message reach non English readers, the document has been translated in Urdu too.  Which was then sent to All the Murshideen, Anjumans, Masjid Committees and Community leaders through various social media platform.

Dear Brothers & Sisters, as these guidelines were made by our own doctors who also know our aqaid much better and are in contant touch with their Murshideen - they have considered all our religious aspects too while compiling this. It must followed strictly keeping in view the local administrations rules if any and your murshids advice so as to perform the last rites in a respectable and hygienic way so as to avoid any further loss of life.

May Allah swt Protect all our families, neighbours, community, relatives and fellow citizens from this Pandemic of COVID1-19. May Allah swt accept this professional service from our Doctor Brothers, who are though being in different parts of the globe have come together for the cause of our community, and May Allah give them all success in both the world. Aameen, Summa Aameen.

• Click here for Preventive Measures [Released on 01 April 2020]
• Click here for Report on Doctors Meet [ Held on 19 April 2020]
• Click here for Recommendations and Guidelines for Funerals [released on 23 April 2020]

Jazak Allahu Khair

Inayath Ulla Khan
Mehdavia Times