If we look a few months back, we had got badly tied up in a fast-paced digital lifestyle that had made every individual a robot. The perpetual state of excessive hustle and bustle had led people away from the real essence of life. On the contrary, the scenario totally changed all of a sudden and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, life nearly halted, a busy routine came to a standstill, and a massive disruption to day-to-day activities was seen around the globe. Even the following incomprehensible facts became the part of the world history: People became captives in their own houses, oil prices turned negative, sales went down to zero, multinational companies shut down, and imports and exports stopped. At this juncture, have we pondered over the lessons learnt from COVID-19?
All power belongs to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ alone
Dear Islamic brothers! Despite overwhelming technological advancement, scientific research, artificial intelligence, etc., human is still a weak, vulnerable and helpless being who claims to have conquered the whole world, making his way to the space, but lost the battle against a small invisible virus, at least for a certain period of time. Even the developed countries could not overcome it immediately and had to surrender in the form of lockdown. This is a great lesson for us that we are completely powerless, and all power belongs to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ alone. It is stated in the Holy Quran:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ(۱۰۹)
… Undoubtedly Allah is Powerful over everything.
[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)](Part. 1, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 109)
We are completely dependent on Allah Almighty. This pandemic appeared as another reminder, making us realise once again that the entire technological advancement is nothing before the will of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Remember! Human always needs Him whereas He عَزَّوَجَلَّ is free of all needs.
Money is not everything!
Before this pandemic, people were busy earning money day and night, even without distinguishing between Halal and Haraam. For this purpose, they would not fulfil their religious obligations, would commit crimes and illegal acts, take bribe, deprive others of their rights, get involved in Riba [interest], and disturb their personal life; in fact, they would make tireless and sinful efforts to earn more and more money. Coronavirus has conclusively proved that the rich and the poor are equal for a disease. Rich people also suffered the same pain and faced the same consequences as the poor. Everything cannot be purchased through wealth, especially health! People first lose their health to earn excessive money and then spend it trying to regain health, but in vain. Moreover, it has also reminded us of the fact that death cannot be escaped, no matter how wealthy we are! The Holy Quran states:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآىٕقَةُ الْمَوْتِؕ-
Every life is to taste death,…
[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)](Part. 4, Surah Aal-Imran, Ayah 185)
Bringing balance to the family life
The overly hectic routine of a professional life had distanced us from our beloved ones. The beauty of life lies in enjoying the company of our beloved ones, having meal with them, spending time with parents, playing with children, listening to friends, etc. Islam has laid great emphasis on social relationships, especially the relationship between parents and children. In the lockdown during Coronavirus, the social life of people revived again. Family members spent time with each other, talked to each other, enjoyed sweet moments collectively, and started understanding each other’s feelings; hence, came closer to each other. People have realised that this is the actual life which they had lost somewhere in the materialistic world.
Simple life is not a myth
The modern developments have brought about a great change in our traditional lifestyle. There is a race of eating expensive foods, dining out, wearing expensive clothes, excessive outings, unnecessary shopping, etc.; in fact, a race of living a totally luxurious life. This has in turn given rise to our living expenses. When the world faced the lockdown period, restaurants, shopping malls, picnic spots, parks, public transport, etc. were all closed, and willingly or unwillingly, people were forced to stay at their homes. So people have practically realised that they can live a simple life even today! Their necessities are actually far less than their limitless desires which urge them to commit sins.
Help and Support
People faced severe difficulties during the lockdown period throughout the world. There was an immense need for immediate help and support to overcome problems like poverty. Islam has given us the concept of becoming a supporting pillar for one another. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: Indeed, a Mu`min is like a building for a Mu`min; one strengthens the other. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-us-Salah, vol. 1, pp. 181, Hadees 481 – Taken from Faizan-e-Zakat)
اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه! Muslims across the globe came forward to help their brothers and sisters, and made their best efforts in this regard. Dawat-e-Islami also took immediate steps and played a significant role in welfare activities. Moreover, there was a serious shortage of blood for Thalassemia patients in Pakistan. Responding promptly to the appeal of Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ, hundreds of his followers donated blood for this great cause. This was the practical demonstration of empathy for others, showing the real example of selflessness in the era when even family members do not care for one another. Dawat-e-Islami also offered its special funeral services in the difficult days of lockdown.
Turn over a new leaf
Dear Islamic brothers! This can be a warning from Allah Almighty, and also the consequence of our own misdeeds. At present, even severe sins like murder, fornication, bribery, Riba, robbery, injustice, oppression, corruption, etc. have become common worldwide. Have we ever pondered over the purpose of our existence? Had we been created merely for earning money and living a luxurious life? Certainly not! Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has stated in the Holy Quran:
وَ مَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَ الْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِیَعْبُدُوْنِ(۵۶)
And I have created Jinns and human beings, only for this that they should worship Me.
[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)](Part. 26, Surah Az-Zariyaat, Ayah 56)
To date, we have really paid very little attention to the purpose of our existence, to our ethical obligations, human values, and the basic rules of living an honourable life. Today, let’s seriously contemplate our life and set it right before it is too late. Remember! Islam is the complete code of life. All we have to do is to learn its teachings and practically implement them in our lives. No matter if you have committed as many sins as the droplets of water in a sea, just turn to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, repent, and seek forgiveness sincerely with a regretful heart and tearful eyes. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ accepts sincere repentance and grants forgiveness. He عَزَّوَجَلَّ has stated:
وَ اَنَا التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیْمُ(۱۶۰)
And only I am the Greatest Acceptor of repentance, the Most Merciful.
[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)](Part. 2, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 160)
Let’s turn over a new leaf and make a firm intention that from now onwards, we will spend our life as commanded by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. It will not only benefit us in the Hereafter but also in this world. People, misled by an illusion, try to find peace in songs, parties, dance clubs, etc. but they fail to do so because they are at a wrong place. Remember, peace and satisfaction lies in the remembrance of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ as stated in the Holy Quran:
اَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللّٰهِ تَطْمَىٕنُّ الْقُلُوْبُؕ(۲۸)
Only in the remembrance of Allah is the satisfaction of hearts.
[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)](Part. 13, Surah Ar-Ra’d, Ayah 28)
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