I am a doctor at a hospital in Riyaadh, Saudi Arabia.

Answer

Regarding diseases being contagious, there has always been difference of opinion among the Ulama. Nevertheless, it is our firm belief that in the final analysis nothing happens but with the decree of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala states in the Qur'aan Shareef:

"Not a leaf falls (from a tree) but Allah is aware...." Even the maut of a single leaf is decreed by Allah Ta'ala. It is He Who intervenes in every action, no matter how infinitesmimal it may be, This has to be ingrained in our Imaan.

Secondly, it should always be uppermost in our mind, that our Maut is decreed. It comes only at its appointed time, not a second earlier or later. Hence the Qur'aan says:

"No person will die but at the appointed time with the permission of Allah."

With this aqeedah and yaqeen, there is no need to fear when you have to respond to duty and discharge your obligation.

It is common knowledge that in a place where an epidemic rages, innumerable people are not affected. This itself indicates that the epidemic is operating under divine command and every person who will be affected by it has already been earmarked for targeting by the Taqdeer of Allah Ta'ala. Those who have not been earmarked, will not contract the disease. This is the meaning of the Hadith statement of 'Laa adwa' (Disease is not contagious)..

By itself, the disease will not and cannot affect anyone. It is like the pebbles of the Abaabeel striking the army of Abraha. Every pebble had on it inscribed the name of the person who had to be struck. Thus, every bird cast its pebble on the man whose name appeared on it. This is Allah's Qudrat, and He has power over all things.

The understanding you have mentioned is actually the tafseer of the Hadith presented by the Ulama on this issue. The fact that the Hadith prohibits fleeing from a place afflicted with an epidemic confirms La adwa. If the disease had the inherent power of being contagious, it would have taken in its scope every person in the affected region. Fleeing is thus an act of cowardice and the abdication of duty because it is the obligation of the healthy ones to render assistance and service to the ailing ones. They may not be abandoned.

The reason for prohibiting outsiders from going to the affected region is weakness of faith. If one had to contract the disease after going to the place, the person may perhaps attribute the primary cause to the disease itself. There may also be some other reason for the prohibition, but Allah knows best. When there is a real need to attend to the patient, take Allah's Name and adopt whatever material precautions have been devised, and discharge your obligation of attending to the patient. You may utilize the alcohol for washing the hands, etc. as prescribed. This alcohol is not of the khamr type. Its use is permissible in terms of the Fatwa of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh) and Imaam Abu Yusuf (rahmatullah alayh). It may be used externally.

At all times make the wird of Hasbunallaahu wa ni'mal Wakeel.