THEOLOGICAL TENDENCIES: FACTORS SHAPING MUSLIMS’ ATTITUDES IN UNDERSTANDING THE COVID-19

Abstract

This article seeks to contribute strategies to reduce the causalities of the plague through reviewing classical literature from the Muslim ummah, in regard with responding to the epidemic. This is a library research. The data relies on classical literatures and contemporary accounts by Indonesian Islamic institutions. Having collected important data, we retrospectively and critically analyze the historical accounts, and then identify the missing link between traditional practices on the pandemic and those of today in Indonesia. Findings suggest that the literature has recorded how Muslim communities divided in their ways of responding to the plague. One sees it as a predestined by God, but others suggest the possibility to take one destiny in favor to the other. In addition, it is also recorded in Muslim literature that self-isolation or quarantine is one of the best strategies to stop the transmission of the disease. This article is useful for Indonesian Muslim to reflect their view toward pandemics, that their Islamic attitudes need to take strategic decisions not to repeat the mistakes of previous Muslim generations.  There are two types of responses emerged by the time pandemics in the Islamic history. First, accepting a pandemic as a form of grace and provisions of God, and second, is striving for better destiny. These attitudes always passed on by later generations. The acceptance of the Indonesian Muslim community regarding Covid-19 is at least divided into two theological tendencies, Jabariyah and Ash'ariyah. However, along with the increasing awareness of Muslims about a pandemic, through the rules and religious fatwas of the MUI, NU, and the government, the awareness of theological attitude of the Ash'ariyah then grew.