First and foremost one should remember that the Prophet ﷺ said “Tie your camel and trust Allah”, so these Duas/Adhkaar/deeds should not make a person reckless and not take precautions. Rather as the Prophet ﷺ said “My Ummah is of the Middle Path”, so we are not paranoid or scared of the virus nor are we reckless; We take our precautions and rely on Allah and are happy with the Qadr of Allah.
DUA’AS & ADHKAAR FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST DISEASES AND EPIDEMICS
There are many saheeh (sound) hadiths which urge the Muslim to recite du‘aa’s and adhkaar for protection from harms and ills, the general meaning of which includes protection from being stricken by various diseases and epidemics.
We list below the Duas mentioned in the authentic ahadeeth:
1. It was narrated that ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“Whoever says (the below Dua) three times, will not be stricken with a sudden affliction until morning comes, and whoever says them when morning comes will not be stricken with a sudden affliction until evening comes.”
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
‘Bismillah illadhi la yadurru ma‘a ismihi shay’un fi’l-ard wa la fi’l-sama’ wa huwa al-samee‘ ul-‘aleem
(In the name of Allah with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing)’,
Narrated by Abu Dawood (5088).
Also narrated by at-Tirmidhi, who classed it as saheeh, as follows: “There is no one who says in the morning of every day and the evening of every night (the above dua)’, three times but nothing will harm him.”
2. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: O Messenger of Allah, I was stung by a scorpion last night. He ﷺ said: “If you had said, when evening came, (the below Dua), it would not have harmed you.” Narrated by Muslim (2709).
أَعـوذُبِكَلِمـاتِ اللّهِ التّـامّـاتِ مِنْ شَـرِّ ما خَلَـق
A’oodhu bi kalimaat Allah at-taammaaati min sharri ma khalaq
(I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created)
3. It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Khubayb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We went out on a rainy and very dark night, looking for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to lead us in prayer. We found him and he ﷺ said: “Did you pray?” But I did not say anything. He ﷺ said: “Say,” but I did not say anything. Then he ﷺ said: “Say,” but I did not say anything. Then he ﷺ said: “Say,” and I said: What should I say, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “Say: Qul huwa Allaahu Ahad and al-Mu’awwidhatayn, in the evening and in the morning, three times, and they will suffice you against all things.” Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (3575) and Abu Dawood (5082).
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
One of the means of attaining security, well-being, peace of mind and safety from all ills is to seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created, three times every morning and evening, by saying: “A‘oodhu bi kalimaat Allaah at-taammaati min sharri ma khalaq (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created).” There are hadiths which indicate that this is one of the means of attaining well-being. Similarly, one may say “Bismillah illadhi la yadurru ma‘a ismihi shay’un fi’l-ard wa la fi’l-sama’ wa huwa al-samee‘ ul-‘aleem (In the name of Allah with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing)’, three times every morning and evening, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated that whoever says it three times in the morning, nothing will harm him until evening comes, and whoever says it three times in the evening, nothing will harm him until morning comes.
All of these adhkaar and prayers seeking refuge with Allah, that come from the Qur’an and Sunnah, are among the means of attaining protection, safety and security from all ills.
Every believing man and woman should recite them at the appropriate times, and do so regularly, with certainty, trusting in their Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, Who is in control of all things, Who has knowledge of all things, Who is able to do all things; there is no god but He and no lord except He; in His hand is the control of all things, the power to withhold, cause harm and bring benefit, and He is the Sovereign of all things, may He be glorified and exalted.
Fataawa ash-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (3/454, 455).
4. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never failed to say these supplications when evening came and when morning came:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ،
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَأَهْلِي، وَمَالِي،
اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِي، وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي
، اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ، وَمِنْ خَلْفِي، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي، وَعَنْ شِمَالِي، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-‘afwa wal’aafiyata fid-dunyaa wal’aakhirati,
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-‘afwa wal’aafiyata fee deenee wa dunyaaya wa ‘ahlee, wa maalee,
Allaahum-mastur ‘awraatee, wa ‘aamin raw’aatee,
Allaahum-mahfadhnee min bayni yadayya, wa min khalfee, wa ‘an yameenee, wa ‘an shimaalee, wa min fawqee, wa ‘a’oothu bi’adhamatika ‘an ‘ughtaala min tahtee
O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and Your protection in this world and the next.
O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and Your protection in my religion, in my worldly affairs, in my family and in my wealth.
O Allah, conceal my secrets and preserve me from anguish.
O Allah, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from my left, and from my right, and from above me. I seek refuge in Your Greatness from being struck down from beneath me.
Narrated by Abu Dawood (5074) and Ibn Maajah (3871). Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
Shaykh Abu’l-Hasan al-Mubaarakfoori (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“O Allah, I ask You for well-being” means: Safety from anything that could undermine my faith and from worldly hardships. It was also said that what is meant is safety from sicknesses and calamities; or not being tested by them, and being granted patience in bearing them and acceptance of the divine decree. The word ‘aafiyah (well-being) refers to when Allah preserves a person and protects him from that which is disliked, and grants him well-being and protection from troubles and calamities.
“O Allah, I ask You for pardon” means: I ask You to erase my sins and overlook them.
“and well-being” means: being free from faults.
“in my faith and my worldly affairs” means” and everything that isconnected to them.
Mirqaat al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh (8/139).
5.It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: One of the du‘aa’s of the Prophet ﷺ was:
اللهم إني أعوذ بك من زوال نعمتك، وتحول عافيتك، وفجاءة نقمتك، وجميع سخطك
“Allahumma inni a‘oodhu bika min zawaali ni‘amatika wa tahawwul ‘aafiyatika wa fujaa’ati niqmatika wa jamee‘i sakhatika
(O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the withdrawing of Your blessing, and the loss of the well-being that You granted me, and the sudden onset of Your wrath, and anything that may lead to Your displeasure).”
Narrated by Muslim (2739).
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: [The word translated here as] loss refers to a change in something and disconnection from something. It is as if he was asking for continual well-being, which is protection from pain and sickness. (Fayd al-Qadeer 2/140).
6. It was narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ used to say:
اللهم إني أعوذ بك من البرص والجنون، والجذام، وسيئ الأسقام
“Allahumma inni a ‘oodhu bika min al-barasi wa’l-junooni wa’l-judhaami wa min sayyi’ il-asqaam
(O Allah, I seek refuge with you from leprosy, and from insanity, and from paralysis, and from evil diseases).”
Narrated by Ahmad (12592), Abu Dawood (1554) and an-Nasaa’i; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.
At-Teebi said: The reason why he did not seek refuge with Allah from sicknesses in general terms is that some sicknesses may be easy to bear but bring a great deal of reward if one bears them with patience and they are not chronic, such as fevers, headaches and inflammations of the eye. Rather the hadith is seeking refuge with Allah from chronic sickness, which can lead a person into a situation where a close friend will flee from him and he will not have many people around him to comfort him and take care of him, and – moreover – may carry a great deal of stigma. (Narrated by al-‘Azeemabaadi in ‘Awn al-Ma‘bood.)
And Allah knows best.
GIVING CHARITY
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said,
“Doing good (to the people) protects one from misfortunes, calamities, and destruction; and the people of goodness in this worldly life will be the people of goodness in the Hereafter.” [Al-Albaani classified it as saheeh (sound)]
Also the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding the time that the people became alarmed at the eclipse:
“So if you see that, then call upon Allaah and make the takbeer and pray and give in charity.” (Bukhari)
Ibn Mulaqqin (rahimahullaah) said in his explanation of this hadeeth: “And in it (the hadeeth) is a proof of the recommendation of giving in charity upon seeing the eclipse, likewise it is desirable at the time of every fear/apprehension in order to repel tribulations and elements of which one should beware of.” (Al-I’laam be-Fawaa-id ‘Umdatul Ahkaam vol 4 p.303).
Shaikh ul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: “Supplication is a factor in repelling tribulation, thus if it is stronger than it; then it repels it. Yet if the reasons for the tribulation are stronger – it does not repel it, however it reduces it and weakens it. It is due to this that he commanded at the time of the eclipse and other signs with prayer and supplication and seeking forgiveness and giving charity and freeing slaves, and Allaah Knows best.” (Majmu’ Fataawa vol 8 p.196.)
Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: “Indeed, sadaqah has a remarkable effect in repelling an array of tribulations, even if it (sadaqah) were to come from a wicked sinner or an oppressor – rather even from a disbeliever. For indeed; Allaah, The Most High by way of it repels an array of tribulations, and this is an affair which is known by the people – their exclusive ones as well as the general ones, and the people of the earth – all of them acknowledge that – because they have indeed experienced it.” (Al-Waabil as-Sayyib p.69)
Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) likewise said: “and in giving charity there are advantages and benefits that cannot be enumerated except by Allaah. So from them is that it guards against bad deaths and repels affliction – such that it repels against the oppressor. Ibraheem An-Nakha’ee said: ‘They held that charity repels and so defends from the man who is unjust.’ It likewise extinguishes wrongdoings and protects the wealth and brings about sustenance and causes the heart to become delighted and necessitates confident reliance upon Allaah as well as having good thoughts of Him.” (Uddatus Saabireen p.490).
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The fitnah [trial] of a man is in his family and his wealth and his neighbour, it is expiated by way of the prayer and the fasting and the giving of charity”. (Bukhari)
A lot of the Muslims think that by giving in charity they are doing a favour to others, but, rather it is a favor to yourself in reality. So save yourselves from the hell-fire even if it be with a portion of a date stone!
A perfect time to give in charity.
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: “O Messenger of Allāh which Sadaqah is the one that gives the greatest amount of reward from Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى)? The Prophet ﷺ said:
'Giving charity when you are in good health, and feeling stingy, hoping for a long life and fearing poverty."'
Narrated by Nisaai - Classed as Sahih by Albani
Almost exactly how we all feel during these times, we are in good health Alhamdulillah and are feeling stingy because of the uncertainty, protecting ourselves for a long live and fear poverty. Please do give in Charity.
Loans
Another important means of helping others (in return helping oneself) is by giving loans or giving extra times in repayments at this times of need.
Allah, may He be exalted, has instructed us to give more time to the debtor who is in difficulty, if he cannot afford to pay off the debt, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay” [al-Baqarah 2:280].
Moreover, it is recommended to waive the debt or part of it, as an act of charity, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know” [al-Baqarah 2:280].
Also the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever allows more time for a debtor who is in difficulty or waives the debt, Allah will shade him with His shade.” (Muslim)
FOOD TO INCREASE IMMUNITY
BLACK SEED & HONEY
Honey
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “There comes forth from their [bees’] bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men” [al-Nahl 16:69]
And the Prophet ﷺ said "Healing is in three things: cupping, a gulp of honey or cauterization, (branding with fire) but I forbid my followers to use cauterization (branding with fire)”. (Sahih Bukhari)
Black Seed
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said concerning the black seed: “In it there is healing for every disease, except as-saam.” Ibn Shihaab said: As-saam is death. (Bukhari & Muslim)
May Allah protect all Muslims, make things easy for them and give us all the hidayah to help one another and to straighten our affairs, to repent and turn back to Allah.
WARNINGS & GLAD TIDINGS
WINNERS & LOSERS
In a Hadeeth in Ibn Majah (authenticated by Albani), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "O Muhajirun! You may be afflicted with five things. Allah forbid that you should live to see them.
If fornication and adultery should become widespread, then you should know that this has never happened without new diseases befalling the people which their forefathers never suffered.
If people should begin to cheat in weighing out goods, you should realise that this has never happened without a drought and famine befalling the people and their rulers oppressing them.
If people should withhold zakah, you should realise that this has never happened without the rain being stopped from falling; and were it not for the sake of the animals, it would never rain again.
If people should break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger, you should realise that this has never happened without Allah sending an enemy against them to take some of their possessions by force.
If the leaders do not rule according to the book of Allah, you should realise that this has never happened without Allah making them into groups and making them fight one another."
All these points are so relevant on our times, we have to take heed. Those who are involved in this abhorrent sin should repent, but also those who are not and are not enjoining good & forbidding evil they also need to take heed. We are all responsible.
LOCKED UP
This is perhaps the first Ramadan we were locked up before the Shaitaan, agreed both very differently but also depends on how we react to this.
We have time on our hands and that is one of the hunting grounds of Shaitaan, he tries to fill the time in hand with entertainment and with it comes all the sins. He will do his utmost best to make the believer fall into sins he was not used to or make the one who was irregular in doing sins become addicted to it and so on. So we need to fill our times with Dhikr and good things. Self development in terms of Deen & Duniya so we are amongst the winners of this pandemic.
WINNERS
Those who were into charity programs, feeding the poor, performing many Umrahs themselves and helping people perform Umrah, distributing food/iftar, performed Itikaaf, etc these will all be rewarded for the same InShaAllah as The Prophet ﷺ said,
“If a servant falls ill or travels, the likes of what he used to do when he was settled and healthy will be recorded for him.
Ṣahih Bukhari 2834
So my dear brothers and sisters do not be disheartened or despair, if you have been consistent in these deeds and had firm intention to continue the same this year, take this year as a bonus round. Where Allah - the Most Merciful and the Most Just - will reward you for those deeds and also this time you have time on your hands to do those self development activities that you had been thinking of for many years.
LOSERS
There were people who complained about the authorities closing the Masjids, the Arabs closing the Haramain (the two Holy Mosques), but we see that these very same people not making an effort to make the Jamaá at home with their families, nor are they praying on time. They have put all their spare time either reading about the conspiracy theories related to the virus or on just entertaining themselves. They did not prepare for Ramadan and now are still lethargic in Ramadan.
THIS TIME WILL TESTIFY FOR OR AGAINST YOU
If only I had time, I would have memorised such and such Surah(s), I would have offered Qiyyam in the depths of the nights, I would have learnt Tajweed and how to properly recite the Quran, I would have done this or that!
How many times have you said this?
If we actually make good use of the time that we now have on our hands, InShaAllah you can be rewarded for all those times that you could not do things due to lack of time. But if you let this year pass by without doing the things that you spoke about all those years, then it will testify that you never meant it.