Coronavirus: A Blessing or Punishment from Allah (SWT) - by Khundmir Syed

Nahmaduhu wa nusalli ala habibihil Karim wal Mahdi al maood al Azim

Al hamdu lilahi tala wo sanaoo Rasoolilahi wo sale ala khalifatullahi tala Ama bath

Bismillahir Rahman Nirahim

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)” (Al-Baqarah Ayat155) “Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector; and on Allah let the Believers put their trust” (Surah At-Tawba Ayat 51) “Verily, with hardship there is relief” (Surah Ash-Sharh Ayat 6)

Asalamu Alaykum,

I am resident of Chicago, IL USA working for a manufacturing company in IT field Alhamdulilah. I want to thank Mehdavia Times Welfare Trust again for giving the opportunity this Ramadan and a platform to share my thoughts on the current situation we are dealing with and address the constant question on every one’s mind today “Is Coronavirus a Blessing or Punishment from Allah (SWT)?”. I would like to share the Islamic perspective so we all can analyze this situation, and increase our trust in Allah (SWT).

We are fully aware by now that the world has been challenged with the deadly Coronavirus. We are hearing about it in the news and social media has been overwhelmed by Coronavirus talk. Every single country has come under the fold of this infectious disease. It has impacted global economies and normalcy everywhere. It has changed the world forever and has done damage that can never ever be repaired. People are witnessing their loved ones, relatives, and friends passing away from this world. We have seen this virus infect over two million people and we saw it take the life of more than 100,000 people thus far. There is this fear, distress, and anxiety which is getting worse by time. People are realizing that even being wealthy and having lots of money and property is not benefiting them with getting the needed medical care, and oxygen which they need to survive.

Before this calamity has shown its deadly face, Nations were thinking they are very advance, and were proud of their accomplishments. They were living with the belief that they are self-sufficient and can deal with anything, until Allah (SWT) sent this virus that we can’t even see with our naked eyes. This creation of Allah has bought everything to a halt, shattered the beliefs of the masses, clearly demonstrated that we are nothing, and are only at the Mercy of Allah (SWT). The experts and scientist with their years of practice are clueless and are still working day and night to understand the origins and behavior so they can control the spread of the virus and win this battle purely with science. We need to realize that the cure can only come from Allah and him alone. The Prophet of Allah (PBUH) stated: There is no disease that Allah has created except that he also has created its treatment (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 5678)

Now that we better understand what we are dealing with, I would like to share the two perspectives. 

Is Coronavirus a Blessing from Allah (SWT):

As part of our Islamic faith, we believe that all matters are in the hands of Allah Al-mighty as the Quran statesin Surah (At-Tawba Ayat 51). I shared earlier. However, for some of us our faith can get shaken at times when such trials and hardships incur upon us. But during such tough times we should remind each other that Allah raises our ranks with every hardship. After every great calamity we get great rewards as mentioned in the hadith.

It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Great reward comes with great trials. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath.” (Classed as Hasan by Al-Tirmidhi, 2396)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Nothing befalls a believer, a (prick of a) thorn or more than that, but Allah will raise him one degree in status thereby, or erase a bad deed.” (Bukhari, 5641; and Muslim, 2573)

Allah has provided each of us an opportunity to gain high rewards and mercy only if we have a positive mindset, we have patience, and are steadfast. We should put our complete trust in Allah alone. Let’s think as though we are given a chance, so we can follow our Mahdavia teachings. Please give up the luxuries and let’s spend our time as it was done in our Dairah, and get close to Allah (SWT).

Is Coronavirus a Punishment from Allah(SWT)?

Once, during the time of Umar Farooq (Rz’s) khilafat there was an earthquake in Madinah Munawara. Umar Farooq (RZ) came running and asked the people what wrong have they done? This means that Allah sends calamities to the people when they do wrong. Look at the current situation around the world where humanity is torn apart left and right and there is corruption everywhere. Muslims in countries like Palestine, China, Syria, India, and Afghanistan are tortured, pornography is very common, evil and immorality is wide spread. We the people have certainly crossed the limits.

Let’s remind ourselves regarding the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)

On the authority of Abu Saeed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]

When such inhumane and immoral acts are being done openly and proudly and we as Muslims don’t do our part as listed in the above hadith then we will invite Allah(SWT’s) wrath in the form of diseases like the Coronavirus, Zika virus, SARS, Swine flu, AIDS, Mad cow, Ebola etc... We are witnessing such calamities, which are warnings one after another and yet we don’t stop from giving up bad. We know from Quran the punishments that were levied to the Qaum’s before us. We know the story of Musa (AS) and the calamities that were bought to Pharaoh and his supporters. Plagues were sent, droughts, water turning to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, and locusts. Every single calamity Pharaoh backed off, disobeyed, and thought he got the situation handled until it resulted in eventually killing their first born and his own demise.

Let’s not follow the footsteps of the people of Noah (AS), Aad (AS), Luth (AS) and that of Pharaoh who disobeyed Allah (SWT), and let’s start repenting to Allah (SWT) for his mercy. While we wear masks, practice social distancing, wash our hands frequently, pray at home etc. We also need to ponder on the wrongs we have done and stop ourselves from continuing them, such as missing on obligatory Salat, Zikr etc., and Ask Allah for his forgiveness.

We have the famous hadees from Bukhari discussing the current times exactly shared by our beloved Prophet (PBUH) 1442 years ago

Narrated by Bibi Aisha (rz): I asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about the plague. He told me that it was a Punishment sent by Allah on whom he wished, and Allah made it a source of mercy for the believers, for if one in the time of an epidemic plague stays in his country patiently hoping for Allah's Reward and believing that nothing will befall him except what Allah has written for him, he will get the reward of a martyr. (Bukhari 3474 Book 60, Hadith 141)

Islam has provided us with a complete solution and has not left us with no answers. We know our duty as Muslims and as Mehdavis.  Let’s not ignore this warnings and if anything this Coronavirus has taught us to turn towards Allah (SWT) and attain his closeness.

Any plague, including the Coronavirus, can be either a punishment sent by Allah for those who don’t ask for Allah’s forgiveness or a means of mercy for the mo’mins who are patient and have their trust in Allah (SWT). Even if we die while following the sunnah of Prophet (PBUH) by staying indoors we will attain the status of a martyr(shaheed) Insha Allah and such is the ultimate reward.

So, let’s do our part and Allah (SWT) will take care of the rest.

Let’s make dua to Allah (SWT) with the waseela of Huzoor (SAS) and Imamuna Mehdi-e-Maud (AS) to strengthen our Imaan in these times, keep us all safe, and make us among the patient (Sabireen). Aameen

JazakAllahKhair,

About the Essay and the writer: Janab Khundmir Syed Sahab s/o Janab Asad Syed Saheb and a Hz. Peer-o-Murshid Abulfatah Syed Nusrat Miyan Tashreefullahi Saheb is a resident of Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is originally from Musheerabad and has moved to USA for his education in 2000. He has done his Masters in 2002 and have been working in USA, and currently working for a global manufacturing company as a Manager in IT field. In his free time he likes to participate in activities to support our Mehdavia community thru Global Mahdavia Club and other such organisations. We Wish him all the best for all his future endeavors, May Allah Bless him with success in both the worlds. Aameen.

This Essay is a part of the Second International Essay Writing Competition conducted by Mehdavia Times Welfare Trust during the Ramazan of 1442 hijri / 2021 taking the opportunity of the Pandemic Lock-down.  Janab Khundmir Syed Sahab secured First Prize in the Senior English Category of this Competition. 

The results of the competition can be seen here ->>> https://mehdaviatimes.blogspot.com/2021/05/announcement-of-results-of-second.html

Note: We will be publishing daily one selected essay in this Ramazan for you to read. We take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all the participants, winners and evaluators and those who were directly or indirectly involved to make this initiative a grand success. Fresh Write-ups/Articles/Essays are always solicited you may send them to MehdaviaTimes@gmail.com . 

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