We all face the sorrow and calamity of losing our beloved ones from time to time without notice. My friend Dr. Yusuf Ishaq Rabiu wrote an article titled why Muslims are not afraid of covid-19. This is not to say, the Muslims are welcoming the disease but did not place the position of it beyond its proportion. Muslims face the situation with their eyes open. In other words, the temporary situation comes with the permission of Allah either to punish the sinners, to serve as a warning for the people and to take martyrs among them. Its unimaginable, given the development of science and technology and the power of knowledge and wisdom human beings have attained, the military and economic power of nations of both superpowers and non-superpowers, the investment and facilities for international travels and tourisms, the nuclear weapons and diplomatic components of the world today they are rendered to mere zero level within shortest period of time. This cannot be the work of a tiny creation that cannot be observed by naked eyes but the absolute power of Allah, who creates the Universe and everything there in. He created everything and makes human being as the caliph and preferred him over other creations. Allah says
And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.(Q17:70).
In another verse He says: And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication. Say, “Have you considered: if the Qur’an is from Allah and you disbelieved in it, who would be more astray than one who is in extreme dissension?” We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?
Unquestionably, they are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord. Unquestionably He is, of all things, encompassing. (41:51-54, please read the whole chapter for details).
In fact, personally, anytime I study the Quran it amazes me and it miracles become even clearer to me by day. Now the question is that ‘covid-19 comes to go’ for Allah Has promised not to destroy this nation as He did to previous nations before us, who is the winner and who is the loser during and post covid-19 pandemic?
Firstly, nations compete with one another in economic and military power. Now that each one`s weaknesses are exposed, submission to the Supremacy of Allah will make the country to be a winner otherwise it continues to be a loser.
Secondly, individuals have seen the causes of this pandemic as largely due to immorality and injustices of different categories. These sins are committed by individuals. Virtually all the major joints of committing sins are shut down. Will they continue later? Most likely yes, after the pandemic period. Hopefully, many will regret their actions and come back to the right path. Those that continue are the losers and those that stop and repent are the winners.
Thirdly, for months now in many countries we are either in lockdown or staying at home most of the time. What are we doing? Some of us resort to studying online on what will benefit us, yet others are wasting time without anything to show. As we know, time is one of the most precious gifts of Allah given to mankind. Thus, on the day of judgement, how we spend our time will be part of the four questions to be asked. Who uses his/her time in doing good deeds, such as studying the Quran, and other valuable books, skills acquisition, online studies, developing viable solutions to the ummah multifarious problems, seclusion (Khalwa) etc are the winners, otherwise one is a loser.
Fourthly, some will not even survive the pandemic, for those Allah will judge them according to their deeds and His mercies. Some will be losers yet others will be winners.
Finally, when normalcy is returned, those that really take lessons will correct their mistakes and move on. This can be applied to government officials who neglect education, health sector, security and welfare of the masses for so many decades and prefer to send their children and or treat themselves and families abroad. Now that, truth is visible for all to see whereby one cannot even fly to the neighboring state, the world is likely to become more localized post pandemic period, they may quickly make a reverse and invest in those sectors. Those will become the winners. However, those, who, in addition to their past mistakes want to take advantage of the current situation and profit from the covid-19 trust fund, through their corrupt actions, they are the REAL LOSERS, May Allah curse them.
In conclusion, covid-19 ‘comes to go’ but it will leave the world with indelible mark and different from its arrival. Allah Has honoured human being and makes him his vicegerent on earth. When human being becomes arrogant in discharging his duties, warnings from Allah come to remind him about his scope and limits. The increasing uncertainties indicate that there will be a paradigm shift in the way we conduct our self in all aspects of our life, be it economic, social, educational, religious and diplomatic among others. Now I leave it to you to think about these dynamics as only time and future studies could determine the impact. Wallahu A`alam.
Dr. Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad
International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance,
Bayero University Kano.
12th April, 2020.
