Important in the video: A guiding word from the representative of the Supreme Religious Authority, His Eminence, Sayed. Ahmad Al-Safi, regarding the outbreak of the Corona epidemic.

The representative of the Supreme Religious, His Eminence Sayed Ahmad Al-Safi, ge today (Friday, 24 Rajab 1441 AH) corresponding to (20 March 2020), a guiding speech on the health challenges that the country is going through due to the outbreak of the novel Corona virus worldwide.

The following is the text of the word:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and may God’s prayers be upon our master and our Prophet Abu al-Qasim Mohammad and his good and pure family.

All condolences for the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Musa son of Jaafar al-Kadhem (peace be upon him) corresponding to tomorrow, Saturday, and we ask God Almighty to ward off the trouble from us and you, so that we always feel safe by the intercession of Mohammad and his family.

I would like to talk with you about three axes, the first is the religious axis, the second is the medical axis, and the third is the social axis.

The reason for this word, of course, is, as you know, the country like most of the countries of the world, is witnessing the epidemic of the Corona virus, which we ask God Almighty to ward it off us. We talked two weeks ago about the religious side, now I will briefly speak about it to highlight the other two axes.

According to our belief {Say, "Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector."} (9:51), thus the believer is always in a state f reassurance, as he knows that the Lord Who is the Most Merciful, and when the believer is dealing with the God Almighty with servitude and humility, he is always in serenity. At the same time the religion is not allowing us to harm ourselves, but rather we have to protect ourselves from anything that may harm us. Thus, we should not underestimate this epidemic and we should prepare all that help us to protect ourselves, our families and people by complying to the recommendations issued by the concerned parties. Therefore living in serenity and surrendering to the Lord's will does not contradict to the fact that we should protect ourselves from this pandemic, which pray the Almighty God to push it away from us.

The second axis is the medical axis: On the 21st Rajab, the Sayed Sistani’s office issued the Supreme Religious Authority’s opinion in response to a question about the efforts of the medical staff who are working to deal with patients with corona disease. Stating: "Treating patients and caring for them and doing their affairs is a sufficient obligation for doctors, nurses, etc., but the relevant authorities must provide all the essentials supplies to protect them from the dangers of the disease and no failure will be accepted.

There is no doubt that the actions of those loved ones, despite all the challenges, is a great measure and is an effort that we cannot determine a price for it, even the importance of their work may be the same as the efforts of the heroic warrior forces at the borders who defend the country and its people.

Surely Allah honors their efforts, and not only will grant them rewards in the Hereafter, but we hope to all who sacrificed their lives in this way, may be granted the reward and status the same as the martyrs’ on the Day of Resurrection. We appreciate them for their precious human action, and we ask God Almighty to protect them and protect them from any evil; as God is a Hearer." This is very important in the time that advanced countries are registering frightening numbers of increasing cases of this pandemic.

Thus, dear brothers, we should not underestimate these matters, and we have to adhere to the recommendations issued by the people of speciality in order to deal with this crisis with full awareness, hoping that the country and its people will be safe.

The third axis is the social axis: The intended from this axis is the expression of assistance among us, this character of compassion is a good characteristic of all religions. People communicate with each other, and provide assistance to the other with compassion. These are general commands so that people do not take advantage of this circumstance, which should, on the contrary, makes people coalesce, hoping that God Almighty expedites that this calamity is removed. It is indeed evil to take advantage of these conditions and trying to lock up some aid from people, or by increasing the prices for the things needed by the people in these times. The increase may be unfair, especially for people who cannot afford it.

My brothers, we are in a situation that calls us to be are always ready, and we also commend the great effort praised by the supreme religious authority of the medical and nursing staff, who strive day and night in order to prevent the spread of this disease. At the same time, means have to be ensured to the patients so they can feel comfortable, to help them psychologically to heal. As in practice many countries now clearly show that there are very large numbers of cases - thank God Almighty - who have healed from this disease, so immunity is required so that we pass this stage away from panic and fear, but at the same time away from recklessness, as neither panic nor recklessness and indifference are required, but the person must hold the middle, praying God Almighty to push from us all the misfortune and we ask Him for safety for all.

And our last prayer is that praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and prayers of Allah be upon Mohammad and his holy Household.