The following are eight reminders we as believers should keep in mind while going through this Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak to help our Eeman, Tawakkul (Trust in Allah) and patience stay high:
[Also read: Covid-19: Inside A Muslim Mind & Heart During This Coronavirus Outbreak]
1. Remember the reward involved:
In the narration of Aisha, she asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about plague, and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) informed her saying, “Plague was a punishment which Allah used to send on whom He wished, but Allah made it a blessing for the believers. None (among the believers) remains patient in a land in which plague has broken out and considers that nothing will befall him except what Allah has ordained for him, but that Allah will grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, 5734]
2. Avoid discontentment:
Whether a believer or someone close to him gets afflicted, he should strive to avoid being discontent or angry with his situation or Allah’s decree. Patience, acceptance and prayer must be the Muslim’s approach all along his calamity.
3. Learn from the prophets:
Reminding ourselves and reflecting upon the trials of the messengers and the companions of Muhammad ﷺ and their strong determination to stay steadfast. Tawakkul of Allah is one of the best ways to protect ourselves from self-pity, anxiety and depression. [Also read: Who Is The Best After The Prophets?]
4. Look around at others hit harder:
There are always people around who are hit harder. Know that Allah will not forsake His slaves.
5. Get closer to Allah:
During calamities, people turn toward their creator for help. It is an opportunity for Muslims to find back the track they were losing the sight of: That Sunnah that was planned but never put into practise, the dua that was once a part of the routine, but now isn’t. A Muslim takes advantage of the situation by turning it into an opportunity to get closer to Allah. [Also read: What Does Allah Want From Us?]
6. Calamity of this life vs Hereafter:
No doubt a Muslim prefers the calamity of this world to that of the hereafter because it is a means to heap great rewards or save himself from punishment in the hereafter.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When Allah intends good for His slave, He punishes him in this world, but when He intends an evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection.” [At-Tirmidhi, graded as Hasan]
7. Gain Allah’s forgiveness:
Allah says,
“And we will surely let them taste the nearer punishment short of the greater punishment that perhaps they will repent.” [Surah as-Sajdah: 21]
Ibn Katheer mentions, Ibn `Abbas said, “The near torment means diseases and problems in this world, and the things that happen to its people as a test from Allah to His servants so that they will repent to Him.”
8. Gratitude to Allah:
A believer furthermore remembers and thanks Allah for all the blessings he enjoyed and was oblivious of. Because a calamity, when it strikes, puts into focus the innumerable blessings of Allah that are taken for granted.
Dr. Bilal Philips