RESOURCE: UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU
Every day we are being fed news about the Covid-19 that has badly affected the world and its citizens. The virus keeps on mutating by the day as if it has no end. Hot topics in daily conversations among the people around the world have been fear, being afraid, feeling worried, feeling angry, pain, isolation, and death.
Muslims all over the world believe that everything that happens has been foreordained by Allah SWT, in line with the sixth Pillar of Faith, Believe in the Qada’ and Qadar of Allah SWT. Allah SWT is the one who predetermines the universal system and order, or Sunnatullah, so Allah knows everything, from the biggest to the smallest. This is mentioned in Surah al-Furqan, verse 2: “He has created everything, ordaining it precisely”.
Allah SWT predestines not only things that can be seen but those that cannot be seen. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Ra’d, verse 8: “Allah knows what every female bears and what increases and decreases in the wombs. And with Him everything is determined with precision”.
Also included in Allah’s foreordainment is the occurrence of the Covid-19 and which of the people to be its victims and whether they are to recover, keep being treated, or die. Also predestined are which immediate families are to be affected and which of the people to become the victims’ close contacts and whether they are to suffer physical or mental effects.
However, every predestined good and bad happening has a blessing in disguise. This is mentioned in the Quran a few times, and it is meant to serve as a theoretical and practical guide for Muslims as they live their lives in this world. For Covid-19 victims, there are at least five reflections that can be drawn from the Quran, as follows:
Knowing Fact about Oneself
Islam teaches its followers to utter the phrase inna lillah wa inna ilaihi rajoiun, which means returning to Allah SWT. It appears in the Quran in surah al-Baqarah, verse 156: “when faced with a disaster, say, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return’.” This utterance proves the fact that people have weaknesses and need to rely on help from Allah SWT from every aspect. Therefore, victims are advised to make more supplications to Allah during or after prayers throughout the treatment period for speedier recovery.
Failure to understand the nature of Allah’s creations will lead people to become arrogant, proud, egoistic, and boastful about what they possess temporarily. The utterance will give a positive effect to the soul when it is said repeatedly thereby helping the people avoid bad characters. It will help to instil in people positive elements of their origins and remind them of their eventual return to Allah SWT.
Pardoning of Sins
Allah puts us through hardships to forgive our sins, as mentioned is Surah al-Syura, verse 30: “Whatever affliction befalls you is because of what your own hands have committed. And He pardons much”. This is also supported by other forms of evidence, whether the Quran, Hadith, and religious scholars’ decrees.
Victims must remember that hardships that befall them serve to erase some of their previous sins. Although these are the small sins, not the major sins, the victims at least will carry less sins when they meet Allah SWT in the Hereafter. Therefore, when in pain, victims should complain less and keep asking for forgiveness from Allah SWT, through verbal utterance and in their heart.
Efforts and Tawakkal
Tawakkal means relying on Allah SWT after all the efforts have been undertaken, in the hope of receiving Allah’s help. This is mentioned in Surah Ali Imran, verse 159: “Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him”.
The verse on tawakkal above first mentions the process of making a decision and being confident in it, followed by the process of placing the trust in Allah. Hence, tawakkal must be preceded by efforts and trust in Allah. Covid-19 victims should first attempt to discuss and obtain opinions from the experts, then follow their advice regarding the proper treatment, and lastly trust in Allah’s plan so as to be at peace. This is how they can be responsible towards themselves as part of Allah’s creations.
Peaceful Heart
“Rest the heart so it can be peaceful”. This saying is important during a hardship as the heart can become restless thinking of the pain that must be borne. As a consequence, the pain worsens. The physical pain then affects the mental health.
People must realize that hardships including diseases befall us at the will of Allah SWT. Those with strong faith will be helped by Allah SWT to have a peaceful mind. This is mentioned in Surah Al-Taghabun, verse 11: “No calamity befalls anyone except by Allah’s Will. And whoever has faith in Allah, He will rightly guide their hearts through adversity. And Allah has perfect knowledge of all things”. Therefore, to have a peaceful mind while bearing pain, victims should increase their faith towards Allah SWT constantly reaffirming the beliefs and performing more good deeds.
Patience and Solat
Allah SWT has asked mankind to be patient and perform prayers during hardships, as mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 153: “O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient”.
As stated by Ibn Kathir, Muslims may be in either of two situations, in enjoyment and being grateful, or in pain and being patient. There are two types of patience, patience in abandoning forbidden acts and patience in showing obedience. The second type is rewarded more because it is practised more, and this is mentioned in Quranic verses.
Covid-19 victims need to be patient and perform more prayers. Both go hand in hand as without patience the prayers may not be performed perfectly. Patience merits big reward, as Allah says in Surah Al-Zumar, verse 10: “Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit”. Ibn Juraij has said that Allah’s reward for those who are patient are not based solely on their deeds but also on others. Allah’s reward for those who are patient are as great as Allah’s reward for fasting.
In fact, patience is the important keyword that highlights all the five reflections from the Quran for Covid-19 victims. It is no wonder the word patience is mentioned as many as 90 times in the Quran. The high frequency reflects the importance of patience as part of a Muslim personality, one that follows the values in the Quran. The trait is even more needed when a Muslim is infected with the Covid-19.
Translated by
Original Malay version by
C&P: 29 JULY 2021 @ 20 ZULHIJJAH 1442H: 11.52 PM
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