Covid-19: World in Panic

The Precarious State of the World 

Everyone is in awe (fear) with the 2nd and 3rd waves of the pandemic which are wreaking havoc across the whole world. People are confined to the house, and those who do not respect the confinement, there are tickets for non-compliance with the confinement, and laws have been passed. [And here in Mauritius, some people are ignoring the warnings of the police and continue to circulate without following health advice and protocols]. The law states that anyone accused of non-compliance with confinement or non-wearing of a mask will have their conviction for this offense displayed on their character certificate. 

Here in Mauritius, there is a scare that governs in the neighbouring regions! The villages will switch slowly into the red zone same as the towns [such as the village of Canot]. The number of cases continues to increase, and the containment which was to be removed on March 31, has been extended until April 30, 2021. The authorities have sealed the perimeters of the most infected places, that is to say, the red zones. No one has the right to enter or leave it except those who are in possession of special “Work Access Permits” [WAPs] for red zones, as well as children who have exams, and the parents who accompany them. And until this ban is lifted, everyone must abide by these limits so that the virus does not spread. Contact tracing continues, and as I told you, the country (Mauritius) has hundreds and hundreds of positive [local] cases. 

For me personally, I fear for all mankind that the Astra Zeneca vaccine would cause long term side effects. 

'Barkah': Revealed Prayers

With the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful. Reproduced below are certain prayers taught by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah  Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius recently for the benefit of all believers in this period of special devotions ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. At a time when the Island nation is still under complete lockdown in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; these fervent invocations were Divinely- revealed to Hazrat Saheb (aba) on Sunday, 21 March 2021 at 4:25 pm soon after he delivered a speech on the true legacy of Hazrat Massih Maoud (as)].  

1.     O Allah, always preserve the Kalima Tayyibah on our tongue.  

2.     O Allah! Grant us complete Faith and always guide us.

3.     O Allah! Grant us Your blessings, light and favours in abundance during the month of Ramadan.

4.     O Allah! Send Your pity upon us, shower Your blessings upon us and grant us licit food.

5.     O Allah! Guide us in such a way as to lead us our lives completely in the religion of Islam

6.     O Allah! Let us depend totally upon You only, and not upon others.

7.     O Allah! Grant us the Lailat-ul-Qadr.

8.     O Allah! Grant us a Hajj Makboul and Makroor.

The Blessings of 'Shabaan'

 

Preparation for the Month of Ramadan

Ḥâ-Mĩm. By the clear Book! We have indeed sent it down on a blessed night [Laylatul Mubarak]. Indeed, We have always been warning. On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained by a command from Us; for indeed, We have always been sending Messengers as a mercy from your Lord, - Surely, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Ad-Dukhan 44: 2-7)

Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) recited this duah during the month of Rajab: “Allahumma bariklana fi Rajab wa Shabaan, wa ballighna Ramadan.” [O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Shabaan blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan.]

 

If we analyze this verse, there are about five names [and even more] for this night: Laylatul-Mubarak, Laylatul-Rahma, Laylatul Bara’a, Laylatus Sahk ​​and the Laylatul Qadr; but many commentators on this Quranic verse (44: 4) specify that it only applies to the night of mid-Shabaan. But this is not the case. Although the night of mid-Shabaan is filled with blessings but the fact of specifying through the Quran, by specifying this verse of Surah Ad-Dukhan that it applies for the night of mid-Shabaan is not absolutely correct.

Covid-19 and Civic Duties

On Illnesses & Prevention

Does protecting oneself from such viruses and diseases such as Covid-19, Chikungunya, H1N1, and avian flu etc., fit into the logic of prevention in Islam? 

Prevention does exist in the Shariah, and it seems even more: it is a religious principle. Imam Bukhari (ra) tells a story from the time of Caliph Umar (ra), perfectly illustrating the prophet’s (pbuh) guidelines for the prevention of pandemics and diseases in general. 

Hazrat Umar (ra) was heading towards the land of Sham with a group of Muslims to inspect the situation in the country: arriving near Sargh, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah Aamir Ibn Al-Jarrah (ra) informed him that the plague was raging in these lands. Hazrat Umar (ra) consulted with the Muhajireen, and subsequently the Ansar, who were torn between the desire to continue the journey, and to avoid entering an infected region. Other companions, of the tribe of Quraish, who had made the Hijrat after the conquest of Mecca, unanimously said: “We think it is better to turn around, and that you do not expose the Muslims to this disease.”

Covid-19 & Hygiene

The outbreak of the Coronavirus over the last year or so, and its devastating impact on people around the world, is a powerful reminder on the dire state of our world. In his Friday Sermon of 12 March 2021~28 Rajab 1442 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius speaks about the Covid- 19 situation in  the country and beyond. At many different levels, the Coronavirus outbreak is a remarkable metaphor for the hidden realities and silent forces that exist and which can make or break the fate and future of man in this world with the Will and decision of God. As the world is seeking to cope with the new situation by turning to available medicines and emerging vaccines, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) underscores the need for everyone to turn to the true Master and Lord of the Universe who alone is the Healer and the Cure. It is in abiding by the true and enduring values of life taught by God through His Prophets that humans can find real protection and security from the afflictions of our times. In this context, Hazrat Saheb (aba) explains the sacred traditions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) concerning the significance of health and hygiene- the need for keeping away from harmful substances and the circle of evil and also the benefits of remaining in a state of inner and outer purity for secular and spiritual well being.   

Read the Friday Sermon Below:

Everyone knows very well how the coronavirus has wreaked havoc in every country in the world where there have been more than two million deaths and millions and millions who are contaminated with the virus. The economies of many countries are on their knees; even the countries that claim to be super-powered cannot do anything. With Covid-19, countries are deserted, confined. During containment, everyone except essential services like the police, pharmacies, hospitals remain open to help the people of their respective countries, to maintain order and to treat the sick. These confinement times are essential in order not to spread the virus and to better detect those who are suffering from it. During confinement, the borders are closed. All shops, supermarkets, markets etc. are closed except under special conditions. Everyone stays at home and takes precautions, wears masks and unfortunately many people are also losing their jobs. The situation is certainly critical.   

Last week, when starting the first part of my sermon on the signs of Allah, the hypocrites and infidels, as well as interest (Riba), Covid-19 and a call for unity, I did not know what which would follow. [Huzur said that every time before he prepares his sermon, he always seek divine help on which subject to address and Allah even inspired him to talk on this subject by directing him to the verse 27 of the Chapter 2 – Al-Baqara, which he began expounding since last week.] That same day [05 March 2021], our small Mauritius contracted a new local case of Covid-19, and from Wednesday 10^th of March, a national containment was implemented to thwart the virus. And today is the 12^th of March, and it’s Independence Day of our little island [53 years of Independence and 29 years of Republic], and today, officially speaking, we have 99 local cases of Covid-19. So, all of us as one people, one nation, we must be united and do all we can within our very limited means to keep ourselves and our neighbours and the citizens of our country safe from this virus and its spread. If this situation continues in this way, it is quite possible that there will be a State of Emergency in Mauritius where no one will have the right to circulate and this would be for the well-being of the population in order to protect those who are not infected by this virus from those who are infected with it. The regions of the Central Plateau such as Vacoas, Phoenix, Curepipe, etc. have become Red Zones because there are more cases of Covid-19 there.  

[More than once during the course of his sermon, Huzur (atba) warned the believers, the people of Mauritius and whole humanity to return to the worship of the sole Creator of the Heavens and Earth and to maintain distance with the satans of this world and all satanic attractions just like one is maintaining social distancing with others in order not to contract the virus. He said, beware lest another virus, more virulent and deadly than the Covid-19 appears, and will be so dangerous that one would not even have time to go in Quarantine.]

Covid-19: An Appeal & A Warning

In recent days, I invoked Allah (in Doas) and thinking about the pandemic Covid-19, a subject that made the news in Mauritius and also across the world. In all countries of the world, whether in big countries and even the islands, the Covid-19 has wreaked havoc. When I thought of this virus [Covid-19] and how many millions of people have lost their lives and how many millions and millions of people have been infected with the Covid-19 pandemic; immediately Allah (swt) revealed a Quranic verse to me. Listen to its contents carefully and you will understand why I have chosen as the subject of my Friday sermon today to elaborate around this verse from the Quran. 

Allah revealed to me this verse which is found in Surah Al-Baqara, where He says: “Surely Allah does not shy away from using the parable of a small beast [insect/ mosquito/ gnat] or what is even smaller. As for the believers, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. And as for the disbelievers, they argue, “What does Allah mean by such a parable?” Through this ˹test˺, He leaves many to stray, and guides many. And He leaves none to stray except the rebellious.” (Al-Baqara 2: 27) 

To fully understand the meaning of these verses, we must know under what circumstances they were revealed… After the emigration (Hijrat) of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to Medina, a new group was formed among the population, alongside the Muslims and Jews: The Munafiqun (hypocrites). The latter were basically troublemakers, true disbelievers, dangerous and wicked; nevertheless, outwardly they showed their belongingness to Islam and this mainly with the aim of satisfying some of their material interests.

Reformation & The Da’ee Illallah

Serve the cause of Allah and the cause of mankind. Invite people around you to Allah. Follow Abraham’s example - how he gave life to the “dead/ those who are dying”. Be kind to people, help them with their needs and share their misfortunes; this is the best way to become a Da’ee Illallah. 

“And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead,’ He said, ‘Do you not believe, then?’ ‘Yes,’ said Abraham, ‘but just to put my heart at rest.’ So God said, ‘Take four birds and train them to come back to you. Then place them on separate hilltops, call them back, and they will come flying to you: know that God is all powerful and wise’.” (Al-Baqara 2: 261) 

The term “Dawat Illallah” or “Da’ee Illallah” means “The call of men to Allah.” I have chosen this theme once again as the subject of my sermon so that you can fully understand how people can be called “to life” and how as a SAHIH AL ISLAM who is aware of his responsibilities, you must put yourselves at the service of Allah, and at the same time of that of humanity by inviting men [people] to our Creator. 

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And as for those who strive for Our cause, We will guide them on Our paths.” (Al-Ankabut 29: 70)