Wisdom of Tribulations in Light of the Qur’an

Ever since the advent of Covid-19 in a Wuhan wet market in December of last year, hundreds of thousands have lost their lives and the status quo has drastically altered. For us Muslims, it is imperative for us to understand that there can lie many wisdoms behind why Allah (swt) would test us with such an epidemic.

While on the outset it may seem that this virus only bodes evil, when looking at the ahadith of the Prophet (S) we can see that trials are actually good for the believer.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُصِبْ مِنْهُ

If Allah intends good for someone, then he afflicts him with trials.

In his commentary of this hadith, Hafidh Ibn Hajar (RH) states that through trials a believer is granted atonement for his sins and is raised in rank. In this way, what otherwise may have seemed to be a great affliction upon a believer may undoubtedly bear many fruits for his/her akhirah.

Furthermore, the trial which afflicts the Muslim can very well end up being a source of reward.

Mahmud ibn Labeed reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ قَوْمًا ابْتَلَاهُمْ فَمَنْ صَبَرَ فَلَهُ الصَّبْرُ وَمَنْ جَزِعَ فَلَهُ الْجَزَعُ

If Allah loves a people, then he afflicts them with trials. Whoever is patient has the reward of patience, and whoever is impatient has the fault of impatience.

As can be understood from this hadith, Allah (swt) will reward an individual who remains patient even in the most trying times.

Another way through which the Covid-19 pandemic can be a blessing in disguise is its ability to bring us closer to Allah (swt). The reason why such tribulations can bring people closer to Allah (swt) is because it serves as a stark reminder of the power of the Creator and the powerlessness of creation. Whereas it may be quite easy to go about one’s routine life without seriously considering and reflecting upon the signs of Allah (swt), a calamity like a pandemic forces one to consider the existential questions he/she might have previously ignored.

All in all, as Muslims, we should take these trying times as an opportunity to bring ourselves closer to Allah (swt) turning to Him in prayer. Afterall, it is our understanding that the virus is a test from Allah (swt), and if we are to exercise patience He would reward us immensely. In conclusion, I ask Allah (swt) to lighten the situation upon all of us, to forgive our sins, and to admit those who passed away into Jannat Al Firdaws as Shuhadaa’. Ameen.

Hadith - Disease

Sa’d reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If you hear of a plague in a land, then do not go into it. If it happens in land where you are, then do not go out of it.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5396, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2218

عَنْ سَعْد عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِالطَّاعُونِ بِأَرْضٍ فَلَا تَدْخُلُوهَا وَإِذَا وَقَعَ بِأَرْضٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِهَا فَلَا تَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا

The Hadith:

The hadith states that Saad reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said that if there is a plague in another place do not go there. The prophet also stated that if the plague affects the land where you live then don’t leave.

The Application:

This hadith relates to the experiences every human is going through right now. The corona virus is one that has been affecting the whole world. Its effects have taken the world by storm. States and even countries are going on lockdown as they are afraid the effects of Covid-19 might affect their land. We could all use the advice of the Prophet at this moment and should follow the advice of the greatest role model to ever live. The Prophet states that we should not go to a land that has the plague and says that if we are affected or if our land has been affected then don’t leave. This piece of advice also aids the instruction given to us to quarantine ourselves if we have the disease or don’t have it. When we have a disease we do not want to be in contact with others or go out because we don't want to give others the disease. As the prophet said, “None of you truly believes until you wish for others that which you wish for yourself.” We must wish good on everyone else, make dua for ourselves and everyone. We have to put our trust in Allah and believe because everything happens for a reason. We must work to fix the situation and come together as an ummah and a family to help flatten the curve.

Hadith - Repentance

عَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ كُلُّ ابْنِ آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “All of the children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.”

The Hadith:

We are all descendants of the first ever Prophet Adam (S). All of us as humans make mistakes and sin sometimes. Allah has not created anyone to be perfect. The Hadith states that we all sin but the best of us are those that repent after we sin.

The Application:

We are all humans that make mistakes everyday. We all sin sometimes and that is normal. From big sins to small sins Allah is the Most Forgiving. He is al-Ghafur. The best people are those that repent after they sin seeking forgiveness from Allah. Even if we don't make mistakes we must still ask Allah for forgiveness. We must repent even when we have not committed sin. The Prophet Muhammad himself used to repent at least 70 times a day and would sometimes even repent 100 times in one day. Even though the Prophet was almost sinless he always repented. When asked why, the Prophet said that he must be a thankful servant to Allah. He also did this to serve as an example for his ummah and so that he can teach them a valuable lesson. We can always learn from the example of the Prophet and can take away a very important lesson from this hadith and that is we always make mistakes, but we must always remember to repent whether a sin was done or not.

Hadith - “Speak good or remain silent.”

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليقل خيرًا، أو ليصمت‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Hadith:

Abu Hurairah (R.) reported that the Prophet (S.) said:

“He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.” {Muslim}

Explanation of Hadith & applying to current times:

This hadith is such a beautiful hadith, because it is universal. It applied back then, and it still applies to us now. Most of us honestly, do not really think nowadays about what we say with our tongues. We do not realize what we talk about. We do not take into consideration whether what came out of our mouths was beneficial, whether it hurt someone (it was bad), whether it was gossip, or whether it was simply useless to say. Allah (SWT) has told us that the one body part, if used in the wrong manner, or misused in any other way that could lead us straight to the Hellfire is our tongue. It is the most “loose” of body parts, having no control. So, we must learn from this hadith and control our tongues. We must take into consideration everything that we say, and hold our tongues firmly from saying bad things and especially gossiping and backbiting (which are very big sins). Once we learn to control our tongues, we will be able to discipline ourselves.

Hadith - The Inside is Greater than the Outside

وعنْ أبي هريرةَ عبدِ الرحمنِ بنِ صخرٍ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ الله : « إنَّ الله لا ينْظُرُ إِلى أجْسَامِكُمْ ، ولا إِلى صُوَرِكمْ ، وَلَكن ينْظُرُ إلى قُلُوبِكمْ » . رواه مسلم

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) that: Allāh’s Messenger said: “Allāh looks not at your figures, nor at you outward appearance, but He looks at your hearts and deeds.”

The Hadeeth:

In this hadith the prophet says that Allah does not look at how we look or dress everyday, but rather the actions we do and our deeds. He looks at our heart and not at our outward appearance. Allah doesn't care about the color of our skin or our origins because he only cares about the cleanliness of our soul and heart.

The Application:

In today’s society many people care too much about how they look from the outside and how others will see them based on their outside appearance. Many people also do good for the approval of others and so that others can think of them as good. Especially in the age of social media people make sure their appearance on the outside comes before everything else. They only care about how others perceive them to be. They also forget that Allah (SWT) really knows their intentions and that He cares about their heart not their looks. The appearance people put on might impress others but only Allah knows the truth and the purity of their soul. The point of the hadeeth is to remind the ummah that we must do good not for the approval of others but for the approval of Allah instead. We must remind ourselves that Allah doesn't care how we look on our outward appearance but rather what is inside. He looks at our heart and soul and the deeds that we do for his approval and not for the consent of others.

Hadith - Haraam, Halaal, and Excessive Questioning

Arabic of the Hadith:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ صَخْرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْت رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم يَقُولُ: "مَا نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْهُ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ، وَمَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِهِ فَأْتُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ، فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ كَثْرَةُ مَسَائِلِهِمْ وَاخْتِلَافُهُمْ عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ ".

[رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ]، [وَمُسْلِمٌ]

English of the Hadith:

On the authority of Abu Huraira Abdurrahman ibn Sakhr (R.) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (S.) say: “What I have forbidden for you, avoid, and what I have ordered you (to do), do as much of it as you can. For verily, it was only the excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their Prophets that destroyed (the nations) who came before you.”

Explanation of the hadith:

This hadith is one of the simplest and most easily comprehensible hadiths in Imam An-Nawawi”s collection. Prophet Muhammad (S.) first states that whatever is forbidden for us, we should avoid completely. This means that whatever is forbidden should not be done in small doses, they should be absolutely avoided. A good example for this is the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is completely forbidden in Islam, and so one must completely avoid it; not even drink a tiny drop of it. The Prophet Muhammad (S.) then stated that whatever was ordered for us, we should do as much as we can. Over here, one can see that there is some leeway because everyone has their own capabilities regarding how many good deeds they can accomplish. However, one must keep in mind that this part is only relating to the sunnah and nawafil (etc.) and NOT the fard (compulsory/mandatory) acts. Then the Prophet Muhammad (S.) states that the excessive questioning of the previous ummahs were what lead to their disaster. This implies that excessive or unnecessary questioning is disliked, and only makes things harder for us. A good story that can be related to this is the story of the Bani Israel and their excessive questioning regarding a cow that they were supposed to get. At the end of the story, they had wasted too much time and money because of their excessive questioning regarding the cow’s physical features.

Hadith - The structure of the Believers

Arabic of Hadith:

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا وَشَبَّكَ أَصَابِعَهُ

Abu Musa reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, the believers are like a structure, each part strengthening the other,” and the Prophet clasped his fingers together.

English of Hadith:

The Prophet’s ummah was one big family. Everyone loved and looked out for each other. The Prophet explains that the believers are like a structure each part strengthening the other. The Mulsim ummah is one big structure. If one of its supports is damaged the whole structure becomes weak and if one part of the ummah is weak it weakens the rest.

Application:

Unfortanately, today the Muslim ummah is divided because of reasons such as mixed views on an Islamic Law or different opinions in subjects such as politics. This negativity can sometimes be portrayed to the world. For example, Saudi Arabia and Iran dont get along with each other because of their different views on Islam. Iran is mostly Shia while Saudi Arabia is majority Sunni. Their want of control over certain regions adds to the tension between them, on top of their disputes. Based on the hadith, the Muslim ummah is hurting itself by fighting with one another. The structure is getting weaker as the supports are crumbling through examples such as the fight between Saudi and Iran. The prophet would be disappointed to see two Muslim countries fighting and the amount of disputes we as Muslims can get into today. Like in the hadith we, as believers, must strengthen each other and support each other so that the ummah is strong.

The hardships and struggles we face everyday, whether it be in work, school, or social life, can take a toll on us. If you know someone who has had a rough day try to make their day or cheer them up. Try to strengthen someone so that the support of the ummah can be strengthened. A negative attitude can spread to others so try to be positive, constantly strengthening everyone around you, so that the structure and its supports can stay strong and can stand tall and high.

Hadith - Actions and intentions

Arabic of Hadith:

عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَبِي حَفْصٍ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: " إنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إلَيْهِ".

English of Hadith:

It is narrated on the authority of Amir-Al Mumineen, Abu Hafs Umar ibn Khattab (R.) who said: “ I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: “Actions are but by intentions, and so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration was to Allah (SWT) and His messenger, is to Allah (SWT) and His messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing, or a wife that he may marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated.”

Explanation of the Hadith:

This hadith talks about how every action someone does has an intention behind it. It stresses the importance of intentions, especially defining the difference between a good and bad intention. Regarding this, it can be related to this hadith that one can get a reward for every good action you do that has a good intention behind it. However, the hadith also talks about the fact that there is no such thing as a “double intention” in Islam. For example, one cannot have the intention to fast for Allah (SWT), and the intention to fast to lose weight at the same time. In this example, the intention of fasting should be solely for Allah (SWT). Basically, one should not mix his worldly intentions with intentions that are supposed to be only for Allah (SWT).

The Application:

The best way to apply this hadith to our daily lives is to simply have an intention for every action you do throughout your day. Remember, for every good intention you make, you are getting a reward for it! It can even be as simple as the intention for giving someone a compliment, and then acting upon that intention. Good intentions are the easiest way in Islam to get rewarded with many good deeds!