Contagion Diseases

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu Mufti Saheb

I have been following the so-called debate about the position in Shariah regarding contagions, precautions to prevent sickness, and the status of one’s Imaan is you believe in contagions.

Please find attached article of the Majlis volume 23, number 03.

The Majlis says:

Regarding diseases being contagious, there has always been difference of opinion among the Ulama.

How is this difference of opinion among Ulama reconcilable with the notion that it is Kufr to believe in contagions? If there is difference of opinion, how is one opinion Kufr?

The article also advises a doctor faced with what some would call an infectious disease to use all material precautions and then too, only deal with the patient if there is real need:

When there is a real need to attend to the patient, take Allah’s Name and adopt whatever materialprecautions have been devised, and discharge your obligation of attending to the patient.

This is suggestive of a necessity analysis - coupled with a need to protect oneself from something contagious.

The article also says:

25th Jumaadal Ukhra 1442 8th February 2021

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.

Over and above the fact that this clarifies that alcohol-based sanitizers are acceptable, it also shows a belief that saliva and bodily fluids can transmit disease and therefore, should be thoroughly cleansed.

Kindly clarify.