The Supreme Religious Authority; Sayed Ali al-Sistani said the doctors and nurses who look after coronavirus patients and die as a result of contracting the disease should be deemed martyrs. Answering an Istifta (religious inquiry), Sayed Sistani said looking after coronavirus patients is a Wajib Kifa’i.
Wajib kifa’i means an obligation which is upon the entire community but if one person fulfills it, then the obligation is lifted from others.
He stated: “Treating patients and caring for them and doing their affairs is a sufficient obligation for doctors, nurses, etc.,”