In these days, humanity is fighting against coronavirus. It is very important, how people should behave at such a time. Viruses are creatures created by God and act by His order and will. No virus can neither get sick nor kill without the permission of Allah. Therefore, this virus outbreak is a test for people. In this test, everyone will take notes according to their behavior. Muslims should regulate their behavior according to this awareness. The grade he will receive in return for these behaviors will be confronted tomorrow. If we want to be happy and not upset that day, we need to know what we have explained below and organize our behavior accordingly.

 

 Charity and Evil are from Allah

“O you who believe! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that you may prosper.” (Pilgrimage, 22/77)

Râğıb al-Isfahani says in his book “Müfredât”: “Charity what is desired in every aspect such as reason, truth, virtue and useful thing; evil is the opposite of that. ” It is believed that the charity and evil is from Allah in Islam. We must admit that the coronavirus epidemic that surrounds the world today is an evil created by Allah. However, the Qur'an tells us that there is a charity in every evil:

“It may be that you do not like something; whereas it is a good for you. It may still be that you love something, whereas it is an evil for you. God knows, you don't know. ” (The Heifer, 2/216)

According to this verse, the coronavirus outbreak, which we consider as evil, may be a charity in some respects. Because the killer blows of the epidemic turn people to interrogate themselves. He returns to his original genesis and remembers Allah. In many Christian cities, the azan (call to prayer) which they had previously forebidden, are read. There are people on social media who take the cross from their neck and fall down in prostration. With the effect of this epidemic, people can return from their evil. They can turn to Allah for repentance and foregiveness of sins. This can draw God's mercy on people, so that the epidemic can be disappeared.

“Let it be, of course, that we will certainly taste some of the closest punishment (such as famine, pandemic) before that biggest punishment. So that they (the survivors of the unbelievers) return. ” (Prostrate, 32/21)

It is a salvation for people to learn lessons from such disasters and return by repentance to their Lord. We hope that this behavior will cause Allah's mercy to cover people. No evil can live in a place where God's attribute of Rahman is influenced. The coming month of Ramadan is a month of mercy. If we spend this month with repentance and praying for foregiveness and make our behaviors suitable for Islam, we can definitely hope that this month, Allah will remove this epidemic from us.

 

Evaluation of Free Time

In these days our free time at home has increased. We should know the value of this free time and increase our optional worships. There are two ways of optional worshiping: learning knowledge and mentioning Allah.

In order to learn science, we should read the books of Islamic scholars. We must stay away from books that spread diverting ideas and fake religious scholars. In order to recognize the divergent ideas, we should read the Qur'anic commentary and hadith books written by real Islamic scholars. On this subject, the commentaries of Elmalı Hamdi Yazır, the True Religious Quran Language, and İsmail Hakkı Bursevî's Rûhu-l Beyân, are the most reliable interpretations. Hadith books such as Sahih-i Bukhari, Sahih-i Muslim, Muqatta, Abu Davud, Riyâzü’s-Sâlihîn are among the most reliable hadith books in this regard.

Remembrance of God can be done in the following ways: Rosary, Prayer, Repentance and Foregiveness, Contemplation.

 

Rosary

We should praise Allah by glorifying Allah from everything. Imam Shafi states that the best way to cure epidemic diseases is to praise Allah. Because it prevents pain and punishment. As a matter of fact, "If (Yunus) was not among those who glorified Allah, he would remain in the belly of the fish until the day when people were resurrected." (Saffat, 37/143,144). The prophet Yunus (pbuh) had the rosary in the belly of the fish: “There is no God except you, you are the only God, I glorify you, surely I behaved cruelly toward myself.” In a sacred hadith, it is stated as follows: "Fear Allah against evil events and say always ‘Lâ havle ve Lâ Kuvvete illâ billâhi'l - aliyyi'l - azim’ (There is no power and force outside of Allah, who is exalted and resolute)."

 

Prayer

Prayer is an expression of despicableness and need. There is nothing more likeable than showing his needing to Allah Almighty .

"The door of mercy is opened to anyone whom the prayer door is opened." (Hadith)

One of the wise people says: “Prayer is a beautiful weapon, loyalty is a beautiful ride, crying is a beautiful intercessor. Prayer happens for either religion or the world. The prayer for religion is the place of hope, which the wise people like to arrive. Just as the Prophet Zachariah (pbuh) asked God for someone who would inherent his knowledge. Being a successor of science is better than being a successor of goods. Because the order of the universe is permanent with knowledge, deeds, goodness, piety, justice and mercy. ”

“Our Lord said: Pray to me, I will accept. Those who leave me to worship and have greatness are humiliated and go to hell." (Believer, 40/60)

Prayer has a number of conditions. These are: to repent, to glorify Allah and praise to him. Then, to say Salat-u Selam to the Messenger of Allah and eat lawfull. These are the antidotes that have been tried for the acceptance of prayer. In addition, the people should not have any power and strength in themselves, abandoning refuge outside of  Allah, believing Allah Almighty with good will, devoting  all his attention to Him, always having Allah in his heart ready, praying much and revealing that he is in need of Him. They are the necessary actions for acceptance of prayer. Despite all these, the issue is with Allah Almighty. He does what He wishes, if He wishes, He accepts it or not.

In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) states: “Ask what you want from Allah Almighty with the palm of your hand, not with the back of your hand. When you finish your prayer, put your hand on your face. Nothing better than asking for goodness is desired among the things asked from Allah Almighty. ” It is liked  to raise the person's hands to the chest level during prayer.

“This world life is just a fun, a game. When it comes to the hereafter, that's the real life. I wish they had known. ” (The Spider, 29/64)

Allah accepted the obedience to the Messenger of Allah as obedience to Him. Allah says His Messenger Salawat (mercy, glorified his glory), angels say him Salawat (glorified his glory) and orders believers to do so. The name of the Prophet is mentioned in the Islamic confession of faith together with the name of God and in the call to prayer. We must also glorify the Prophet and say to him Salawat. This is a duty of Muslims and is also means in the acceptance of prayers. Therefore, we should say plenty of salawat to the Prophet these days.

May Allah Almighty make us servants who pray and worship Him with blessings.

 

Repentance and Foregiveness of Sins

“When they do evil or persecute themselves, they remember Allah and immediately ask for their forgiveness. Who can forgive sins besides Allah? They don't even insist on the evil they do. ” (Ali İmran, 3/135)

"When a servant will sin, then take a good ablution and prays, and wishes forgiveness, then Allah will forgive that servant." (Hadith)

Repentance is a way that leads to salvation. What a mistake it is for people not to approach this. However, the ship does not go in a dry place.

"Do they not know that Allah accepts the repentance of His servants, that He receives their charity, that Allah is most mercifull." (Repentance, 9/104)

"If they repent, keep prayers true, and give zakât, they are your brothers of religion." (Repentance, 9/11)

It is virtuous to give some charity at the end of the repentance. It leads to the acceptance of repentance.

The original meaning of the word repentance (tawba) means to return. God's acceptance of the servant's repentance means that He creates regret and return in the sinful heart, decorates the visible organs with obeying God’s commandments  and cleans him of the dirt of sins and mistakes.

“Ask forgiveness from your Lord. And repent to Him, then He will let you to live well for a certain time” (Hud, 11 / 1-3)

“Unify (Tawhid) and foregiveness of sins are the keys to happiness of the world and the hereafter. 'La ilaha İllallah' is the key to heaven. But every key has teeth. ” (Hadith). The teeth of the key for foregiveness of sins is the imperative of worship and worship along with faith.

“Praise to your Lord and ask Him to forgive yourselves. Undoubtedly, your repentances are very acceptable by Him.” (The Help, 110/3)

Therefore, we must ask forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him from our sins so that He will accept the repentance. Islamic scholars say: “May anyone who has the blessings of Allah on him increase the praise of Allah; Those who have the pain, may increase the forgiveness of sins. You should know that he cannot see anything other than Allah plunging into the sea of ​​tawhid, cannot seek refuge from anyone else, and there is no escape to someone else.”

 

Contemplation

“Didn't they look at the government of the heavens and the earth and everything God has created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their term is near drawing to an end? In what Message after this will they then believe?” (The Heights, 7/185)

Allah did not create the earth and the sky in vain and did not leave his servants untended. To understand this, he must look at the events in the world. We are not careful that our appointed hour of death may be approaching. Maybe it is coming soon. So why do not we rush to ask for the divine truth, to turn towards what will save ourselves before death comes and the torment comes down? What other words will we believe in the outside of Qur'an?

“They remember God while they are standing, sitting and lying down on their sides. They think of the creation of the heavens and the earth and say: Our Lord, you did not create it in vain, we glorify you, protect us from the Penalty of the Fire.”(Ali İmran, 3/191)

"One hour contemplation (thinking) is better than 60 years of optional worship." (Hadith)

We should not think about God's Essence, as it is reported in a hadith. We should only think about Allah's creations.

The contemplation brings people to God, and worship brings them to God's reward. What brings you to God is better than delivering you to anything other than God. Contemplation is the work of the heart and  obedience is the work of other organs. The heart is more honorable than other organs. The work of the heart is also more honored than the work of other organs.

“Do people think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested?” (The Spider, 29/2)

Allah tests them for separating the sincere from the hypocrite, those who are persevered in religion and those who are indecision in religion with difficult responsibilities through  various disasters that come to life and property in order to earn superior degrees. The previous nations have suffered much worse than the troubles that this ummah has suffered.

God will definitely separate the righteous person from the liar. Ibn Ata said: “The truth and lie of the servant appeared in moments of wealth and poverty. Who is grateful on the days of wealth, and he is patient on his troubled days, he is the true person. If he becomes spoiled on the days of wealth and is impatient on the days of poverty, he is a liar. ”

 

Coronary Virus Epidemic is the Destiny of God

“There is no calamity happening on earth and happening to you that it should not have been written in a book before we created it. Indeed, this is easy to God. ” (The Iron, 57/22)

Every event that takes place on earth and every work done by the servants is written in detail in the Levh-i Mahfuz (protected tablet) before it occurs. The remedy for salvation is to embrace knowledge and deed and to leave the world and laziness. Those who will achieve good fate are those who are righteous and charitable. They work day and night for Allah and never leave Him.

“Many events have come and gone before you. Travel the earth and see how the liars end. ” (Ali İmran, 3/137)

If believers were always victorious, then people would have to believe. This situation is not suitable for divine wisdom. The wise person should refer their works to Allah and look at all the open and hidden events as a lesson to learn.

“… The good will surely have the world…” (The Prophets, 21/105)

"… We have sent a torment from heaven to those who are unjust because they have deviated from the right way." (The Heifer, 2/59)

The coronavirus epidemic is also a punishment to people. In the past, the taun (plague) epidemic was also like this. In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) states: “Taun (plague) disease is a punishment that Allah sent to the sons of Israel, or to those before you. If there is an outbreak of taun somewhere, do not enter that area. If there is a taun outbreak in an area you are in, do not leave. ” These measures prevent the epidemic from spreading to other places. This method is still used and recommended today.

There is the following hadith that those who died in epidemic diseases were martyred: “Apart from those who were martyred in the way of Allah, the following seven people were martyrs: those who died from taun (plague), those who died from epidemic dysentery, drowned in water, died in fire, when they died of lung membrane inflammation, died under ruin, the woman who died during childbirth.” Today, we can hope that those who died in the coronavirus epidemic were martyred. However, they must have faith. The martyrs in the hadith are the people who cannot do anything against the catastrophe. Therefore, they were completely helpless and surrendered by the fate of the God. This is the proof that they are martyrs.

In outbreaks like coronavirus, hope should not be lost from God's mercy.

“Do not give up hope from Allah's mercy. Indeed, none other than the community of infidels will lose hope from God's mercy. ” (Joseph, 12/87)

The mercy of Allah is expressed in the verse above with the word "Rahv". The meaning of the word “rahv” is that man finds a sweet and cool breeze and inclines to it. This word means movement and swing. It is called everything that people enjoy and get active with their existence. This is when the heart gets rid of the sadness and finds it comfortable. Therefore, we should understand the meaning of this verse as follows: "Hope for a comfort that will come from Allah."

"There really is a convenience with difficulties." (Insirah, 94/6)

Believers do not lose hope from Allah. Because God's mercy is nearby. Allah will solve the problems of the world and the hereafter.

"… Whoever avoids and is patient, of course, Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good." (Joseph, 12/90)

We hope that the mercy of Allah will descend upon the Ummah in the month of Ramadan, the month of Mercy. Thus, we expect the end of the coronavirus epidemic in Ramadan. For this, let us repent to our Lord abundantly and commit righteous deeds.

"… Worship your Lord and do good so that you may prosper..." (The Pilgrimage, 22/77)

 

Let's Increase Solidarity in Society

It is certain that there are many people who lose material income due to the epidemic. There are such people in our society that they can survive with their daily earnings. Since these people could not work during the epidemic, they fell into financial difficulties. We should provide financial assistance to people around us in this situation as much as we can. If we are in the community with such a social and economic solidarity we become a stronger and more interconnected society. This is actually an order of Islam. We can use our zakat and charity for this.

“… Give away the goods you love to relatives, orphans, the poor, those who stay on the road, beggars and slaves… They are the right ones. They are only taqwa owners. ” (The Heifer, 2/177)

“Worship God and join not any partners with Him. Do good to the parents, do good to relatives and orphans, to the poor and the neighbor who is close, to the neighbor who is distant, to the friends who are with you, to the passengers and under your hands. God does not like people who are self-proud and arrogant. ” (The Women, 4/36)

“Spend your goods in the way of Allah, and do not put yourself in danger with your hands. Do good, because Allah loves those who do good. ” (The Heifer, 2/195)

“The goods of those increase who spend their goods in order to get the consent of Allah and to strengthen the faith in themselves. Nothing disappears in the side of Allah, it will increase gradually. ” (The Heifer, 2/265)

"When his neighbor is hungry, if he sleeps full, he is not with us." (Hadith)

"Charity drives away evils.” (Hadith)

“Muslims are like a body. If any organ hurts, other places will feel it as well. ” (Hadith)

Islam attaches very importance to social solidarity. Therefore, in a verse, saving the life of a person is expressed as the saving of all people, and the killing of a person unfairly is the killing of all people. For this reason, the survival of the society is possible with the survival of each individual member.

However, social solidarity is not limited to giving money alone. To the people who are in a difficult situation, especially those who are old and poor, Muslims should go to their doorstep and ask their state and problems. Their needs should be determined and these needs should be met. In this way, the hearts are delighted and this situation appeals to Allah's consent. Because who visits such poor and needy people, visits Allah. This is a great happiness. For this solidarity, Muslims should unite their possibilities and act jointly.

 

We must Stay Away from Waste

“ Eat and drink, but don't waste it. God does not like wasters." (The Heigths, 7/31)

In such days, we should keep our daily needs to a minimum, avoid excessive consumption and waste. Thus, we maintain our economic power with the idea that a longer struggle may be required. We should also use our economic powers, which are beyond our needs, to meet the needs of people who are economically weak and poor in society. This strengthens social solidarity. Thus, we ensure that our society survives. Ensar (helpers) and Muhacir (immigrants) were able to keep Islam alive by acting with this logic. As a blessing of such behavior, God had mercy on these people and made them victorious in all respects. We should try to obtain the mercy and blessings of Allah, taking this behavior of the companions of Our Prophet (pbuh)  as an example. We believe this will lead our society to reach better days in the future.

 

Cleaning and Compliance with Rules

One of the most important issues that prevents the transmission of the virus is cleaning. We should pay attention to cleanliness. Let's not forget the hadith that “cleanliness is of believe”. Especially, let's make maximum effort to hand and face cleaning and make sure that the food we eat is clean and halal (lawfull).

“Clean and beautiful things are made lawfull for you today.” (The Table, 5/5)

By paying attention to cleanliness, we protect both ourselves and the people around us. If we do not pay attention to cleanliness, we can infect both ourselves and those around us. This is not a desired thing in terms of Islam. It is the duty of every Muslim to avoid this.

We should especially comply with the issues reported by the state's authorized institutions due to the epidemic. We must comply with social isolation and apply the distance to people at least 2 meters. We should not go out without necessity, we should stay at home. In order to meet the essential needs, we should use masks and gloves in public places such as the market and the bank. Thus, we do not infect people with viruses that are likely to be in us. This is one of the most important measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

 

We Should Always Remember Death

We are in the days, in which we think that man can face death at any moment. We see how people died in a few days, under the influence of the virus. We must get lessons from these. We must realize how deceptive world life is. The Koran says that world life is a game and entertainment (The Spider, 29/64). Real life is hereafter. For this reason, we should not value the world life more than necessary, and try to prepare ourselves for the hereafter. In this regard, the following word of a Sufi is very meaningful: “I got out of the womb, I came to a market and I took a shroud, I went to the grave.”

Nowadays, one should turn to himself and make his internal accounting. He must find the right way by making self-criticism. For this, the Muslims should be guided by reading what the real Islamic scholars wrote.

There is no salvation from death. Because the number of human breath is determined and finite. We should not waste our breath. The number of breaths was determined when the human first occurred in the womb and written on the forehead. For this reason, when the time of death comes it will be applied. But our duty is to be ready for that day. If we are well prepared for death, it would be a Bairam (religion festival) for us. Because death is the first step towards eternal salvation and happiness.

"Every soul will taste the death." (Ali İmran, 3/185)

Remembrance of death reduces one's passion for the world. Because death separates communities. Son and daughters leave orphans. Looking at those who are dying, being with them prevents swallowing the bite in the throat, cuts the appetite, keeps the world joy away from the hearts, upsets sleep, destroys comfort in the bodies. Thus, it leads the person to righteous deeds. From now on he tries to prepare himself before death comes.

"Cite the death that destroys flavors a lot." (Hadith)

"Let them laugh less and cry a lot as the punishment for their win." (Repentance, 9/82)

Anyone who wants his hereafter life to be good should not forget that he will face death and be taken into account. There are many people who smiles that their shrouds are ready in a store of shrouds. For this reason, the intelligent human must remember death frequently.

"You laugh, you don't cry." (The Star, 53/60)

"Who cries because of the fear of God, does not enter hell." (Hadith)

“The Qur'an came down undoubtedly saddened. Cry when you read it, if you can't cry, look like crying ” (Hadith)

 

Causes of Disasters in the World

Every trouble and misfortune that happens to people in the world is because of what people earn with their own hands.

"Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the reward) that the hands of men have earned, that (God) may give them a taste some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evil).” (The Roman Empire, 30/41)

İsmail Hakkı Bursevî says in his commentary called “Rûhu'l Beyân”: “The emergence and spread of shamelessness and prostitution in a society is the reason for, the spread of certain diseases such as plague; fraud in measures and scales lead to famine, trouble in livelihood and persecution of the president. Not giving zakat causes the rain to stop. If there were no animals, it wouldn't rain on the members of that society. To return from the promise given to Allah and His Messenger causes to plague by the enemy. Taking people's possessions and the leaders' failure to rule according to the book of Allah also causes fighting and murder among people. Eating interest causes jolts and earthquakes. The harms of some people suffer everybody.”

Disasters and misfortunes happen to people, in fact, to ensure that they return to the right path.

"It is a fact that we will taste them in the world penalty of this (life) prior to the supreme penalty, in order that they may (repent and) return." (Adoration, 32/21)

When a disaster happens to people, people turn to God and pray for the removal of this trouble. But when the trouble disappears, some people keep the right way by learning lessons, some of them get out of the way and return to their former state.

"(They will say) Our Lord! Remove this punishment from us, we really believe now ". How shall the Message be (effectual) for them, seeing that a Messenger explaning things clearly has (already)come to them.Yet they turn away from him and say  “Tutored  (by others), a man possessed!” We shall indeed remove the penalty for a while, (but) truly you will revert  (to your ways). One day We shall seize you with a mighty onslaught: We will indeed (then) exact retribution!” (The Smoke, 44 / 12-16)

“When a problem is touched by man, he prays to his Lord, giving all his heart. Then, when He gives a blessing to him, he forgets what he had previously prayed to Him, and he starts to run partners to God to get his way. O Muhammad! Say:  Enjoy your blasphemy for a little while; verily you are (one) of the Companions of the Fire. ” (The Crowds, 39/8)

To ask the end of punishment is to promise Allah so that he will follow the right path. However, after the punishment disappears, returning to its former state means returning from its word against Allah. However, this is very wrong behavior. Because the fulfillment of the promises is Allah's order. Reinstatement can cause human destruction. The best example of this is Pharaoh and those around him. Allah Almighty tested them with 9 different troubles. Each time they came to Moses (pbuh) and made a promise that they would keep the right path when they got rid of the torment. But when the punishment was lifted, they did not keep their words. Finally, God took revenge by strangling them on the Nile. This issue is described in the following verses:

“We punished the people of Pharaoh with years (of drought) and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition. But when good (times) came, they said: “This is due to us.” When gripped by calamity, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moses and those with him. Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in God’s sight, but most of them do not understand. They said (to Moses):”Whatever be the signs you bring, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe you.” So we sent (plagues) on them: wholesale death, locusts, lice, frogs and blood: Signs openly self-explained, but they were steeped in arrogance – a people given to sin. Every time the penalty fell on them, they said: “O Moses! On your behalf call on your Lord in virtue of His Promise to you, if you remove the penalty from us, we shall truly believe in you, and we shall send away the Children of Israel with you.” But every time We removed the penalty from them according to a fixed term which they had to fulfil – behold! They broke their word. So We exacted retribution from them: We drowned them in the sea, because they rejected Our Signs and failed to take warning from them.” (The Heights, 7/130-136)

Ibn Abbas interprets the above verses as follows: “Verses show that distress and difficulties require awakening and learning lessons. But those who take lesson are those who have happiness and wisdom. The miserable people who plunge into evil do not awaken by the abundance of blessing and the severity of punishment. ”

 

We would like that Allah grants everyone the thinking and living with Islamic Consciousness. We hope and pray that the coronavirus epidemic will be removed from the Ummah Muhammad.

 

References

“Hak Dini – Kur’an Dili”, Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır, Eser Publication, Istanbul, 1975

“Muvatta”, Malik b. Enes, Konya Publication, Konya, 2008

“Müfredât”, Râgıb el İsfehanî, Pınar Publication, İstanbul, 2007

“Riyâzü’s – Sâlihîn”, Muhyiddîn-I Nevevî, Publications of Religious Affairs, Ankara, 1976

“Rûhu’l Beyân”, İsmail Hakkı Bursevî, Damla Publishing, Istanbul, 2010

“Sahih-i Buharî”, İmam Buharî, Polen Publication, İstanbul, 2008

“Sahih-I Muslim”, İmam Muslim, Irfan Publication, Istanbul, 2003

 

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Islamic Awareness

and Coronavirus Outbreak

Publishing Date:  20.04.2020

Seyyidül İstiğfar