Brothers and sisters! It is eleven months now and the entire humanity is still under the grip of a global pandemic. It seems everyone is under the psychology of fear: fear of death, loss of business, loss of peace. COVID-19 has affected different people in different ways, and its impact on the world’s economies can be seen. How should Muslims view this situation and what should they do? What is the Islamic position regarding epidemic disease? This is the topic of my khutba today.
The questions that may come to our minds are: “Why is this happening?” What is to be done? Why has Allah allowed this weak and small invisible creature to put life on earth on hold? The answer is found in the Qur’an. Allah says in verse 112 of Surat an-Nahl:
وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آَمِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ
“And Allah sets forth the example of a town that was secure and at ease, with provisions coming to it abundantly from every quarter. Then it showed ingratitude for Allah’s blessings; so Allah afflicted it with hunger and fear because of what they did.” (an-Nahl, 16:112)
And Allah says in verse 41 of Surat Ar-Rum:
ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
“Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of the evil of what people’s hands have done. So, He will make them taste the fruit of some of their doings, so that they may turn back from evil.” (Ar-Room, 30:41)
From the above verses, we see that humanity at large has not been grateful to Allah’s countless blessings; maybe we misused and abused His blessings. Maybe we have spread mischief and He sent us this pandemic as a reminder that all of us turn back to Him. We should also remember how weak and how impatient man is.
وَخُلِقَ الإِنْسَانُ ضَعِيفًا
“And man has been created weak.” (an-Nisa, 4:28)
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا () إِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا () وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا
“Indeed, humankind was created impatient; distressed when touched with evil, and ungenerous when touched with good.” (al-Ma’arij, 70:19-21)
It is a general human weakness that if one is afflicted with a misfortune, one keeps complaining about it to others. However, a person hardly speaks about the countless bounties that he or she enjoys.
One of the many lessons of crisis and tribulation that Muslim saints and scholars have emphasized is to profusely appreciate the many blessings in our life that in good times we often take for granted. The term Alhamdulillah or “praise be to Allah” is a reminder that all the bounties we enjoy come from Allah. These among other blessings, include health, food, shelter, and security, which most people are still in possession of during this present crisis.
An invisible creature – a tiny virus puts man’s life on hold. Maybe it’s time to beg Allah for His mercy. Maybe it’s time to humble ourselves to Him. It is our faith that nothing happens without the permission of Allah and He is aware of all things. Let us not forget that the virus is also a creation of Allah. He may use it as He wills. It can be a trial for the patient believers or a punishment for the transgressors. So, let us be more mindful of our Creator – Allah (SWT). If it was not for His mercy, things could be still worse. A Hadith Qudsi tells us:
لَمَّا قَضَى اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ كَتَبَ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَهُوَ عِنْدَهُ فَوْقَ الْعَرْشِ إِنَّ رَحْمَتِي غَلَبَتْ غَضَبِي
“When Allah decreed the creation, he wrote in his Book with him on his Throne: My mercy prevails over my wrath.”
It was more than 1400 years ago that the Prophet (SAW) was asked about plague (Ta’un) – an epidemic disease that causes high mortality. He replied: “It is a punishment that Allah sends upon whoever He wills, but Allah has made it a mercy for the believers. Any servant who resides in a land afflicted by plague, remaining patient and hoping for reward from Allah, knowing that nothing will befall him but what Allah has decreed, he will be given the reward of a martyr.”
Although this hadith is about the plague, this rule can be applied to any of the contagious disease, epidemic, or pandemic. And this latest outbreak of Covid 19 is one of them. So what do the believers do? First of all, believers should not panic. They should stay calm and place their trust in Allah (SAW), knowing that nothing can harm or benefit them except with Allah’s permission.
For every pain that you can’t explain, for every worry that consumes you, for every fear that overwhelms you, for every loss that hurts you, for every anxiety that overtakes you, for every uncertainty that scares you, for everything that is beyond your reach and control, beyond your means and capacity, the Qur’an reminds us to say:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
“Allah is sufficient for us and the best disposer of affairs.” (Aal ‘Imran, 3:173).
We strengthen our faith in times like these for Allah has promised to respond to those who call on Him.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“When My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near, answering the prayer of the one who calls Me. They should respond to Me and believe in Me in order to be guided.” (a-Baqarah, 2:186)
Many centuries before the advancement of modern sciences, Islam talked about the importance of cleanliness, personal hygiene, consuming halal food, quarantine etc which are vital to prevention and spread of epidemic diseases. Only if we Muslims become responsible and showcase these teachings of Islam with wisdom, many people will be attracted towards Islam.
In times of crisis such as the one we are facing now, we should all the more seek Allah’s closeness through dhikr by remembering Him. There are many adhkar (plural of dhikr) that are recommended to be recited daily, both in troubling times as well as in normal times. We must read our morning and evening adhkar. If we read the adhkar that the Prophet (SAW) told us to read every morning and every evening, we will be under Allah’s protection against all kinds of harm such as magic, evil eye, and diseases. These adhkar are like a fortress surrounding us from all sides and protecting us with the permission of Allah.
There is a hadith that tells us: “There is no one who says in the morning of every day and the evening of every night three times,
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِيْ لا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلا فِي الْسَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ
‘In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing,’ nothing will harm him.” This is one of the great adhkar that the Muslim should recite every morning and evening, so that he may be protected against being struck by a sudden calamity or disastrous harm or the like.
The Prophet (SAW) is also reported to have said: “Say: Qul Huwallahu Ahad (Surat al-Ikhlas) and al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nas) three times every evening and every morning, and they will suffice you against everything.”
When you leave home, say the following Prophetic dua every time you leave home and you’ll be protected against all harm. The dua is:
باسْمِ اللَّهِ ، تَوَكَّلْتُ على اللَّهِ ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ باللَّهِ
‘In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah and there is no power and no strength except with Allah.’ It will be said to him: “You are taken care of and you are protected and guided, and the devils will move away from him…..”
It is also very beneficial to join a community of believers, and connect with scholars who teach our tradition. We should try our best to participate in humanitarian and social services, and strengthen our relationship with family, friends and loved ones. May Allah give us the tawfiq to do so, ameen.
أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
Brothers and sisters! According to Islamic tradition, all humans are the children of Adam and Eve – the first parents of all humanity. Despite our differences, we are all part of a global community and it is incumbent upon us to care about those who are most needy and vulnerable in society. This pandemic is unprecedented in modern history as a tribulation that impacts everyone on earth. We need to remind ourselves of the importance of kindness, compassion, charity, and service.
Also, our common sense dictates that the general precautions and protective measures against viruses should be taken. These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses and can be followed per advice and recommendations of health care organizations.
May Allah (SWT) lift this test and trial from the entire earth. May Allah (SWT) protect us all from all kinds of diseases – physical, mental, and spiritual; ameen.
Ya Rabb! Strengthen us. Protect us. Cover us with Your Mercy and Grace. Ya Rabb! You are our shield, and our strength. Please protect us, our families, our loved ones, and the entire humanity from the virus that threatens human Life. Grant health to all who are sick in hospital and in their homes. Ya Rabb! Unite us as brothers and sisters. We pray and humbly beseech that through your infinite mercy, do not allow Covid-19 or any other virus to harm us. It is only through your power and forgiveness that we will overcome this virus inshaAllah. Ya Rabb! Thank you: for our health, for our family, for our food, for a roof under which we can rest. Ya Rabb! Bless everyone. Ya Rabb! Take our souls only when you are pleased with us. Bless the souls of people who have lost their lives because of being infected with Covid-19, and include the believers among them as martyrs. Ya Rabb, bless and protect our doctors, nurses, medical staff, police officers, firefighters, and all workers who go out every day to save lives. Return them healthy and safe to their homes. Ya Rabb please accept our humble duas. Allahumma Ameen.
