Keeping clear of the coronavirus by being sensible and using dua
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155)
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Those who, when a calamity afflicts them, say, ‘To God we belong, and to Him we will return.’ (2:156)
أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
Upon these are blessings and mercy from their Lord. These are the guided ones. (2:157)
Life is full of tests
This ayah shows us that Allah Almighty is preparing us for tests. We will be tested. At any time, any place, in any century we are tested. Across the board. Our test today is probably the coronavirus. How do we respond to this test? God is teaching us that we belong to Him and we will go back to Him.
Remain calm
When we remember this we gain comfort rather than getting anxious and panicky.
Avoid infected places
The Prophet (peace be on him) taught us that if we hear there is a plague in a certain place, we should not enter that place. Stay away from leprosy as you stay away from the lion.
روى البخاري ومسلم عن أُسَامَةَ بْن زَيْدٍ رضي الله عنهما قال : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : (فَإِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِهِ (الطاعون) بِأَرْضٍ فَلَا تَقْدَمُوا عَلَيْهِ ، وَإِذَا وَقَعَ بِأَرْضٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِهَا، فَلَا تَخْرُجُوا فِرَارًا مِنْهُ) .
Usamah bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
If you get wind of the outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; and if it breaks out in a land in which you are, do not leave it. (Bukhari and Muslim)
قول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (لا يُورِدَنَّ مُمْرِضٌ علَى مُصِحٍّ)بخاري.
Abu Huraira narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
Do not put a patient with a healthy person (as a precaution). (Bukhari)
روى أبو هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : فِرَّ مِنَ الْمَجْذُومِ كَمَا تَفِرُّ مِنَ الأَسَدِ ’.البخاري.
Abu Huraira narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
One should run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion. (Bukhari)
Remember that Allah is our Protector
We need to bear in mind that our Protector is Allah Almighty. He taught us in Surah Tawbah what to say, and that nothing will happen to us except what has been written for us:
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, ‘Nothing will happen to us except what God has ordained for us; He is our Protector.’ In God let the faithful put their trust. (9:51)
فَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًا ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Allah is the Best Guardian, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. (12:64)
Have reliance on Allah
Know that He is our Protector, Huwa maulana. It develops our bondship with Him more when we are tested. It is a test of our connection and relationship with Him.
Take precautions
Nevertheless, relying on Allah does not mean we shouldn’t take precautions and protective measures.
Isolate yourself if you have symptoms.
Don’t come to the mosque. It is haram, as it is inflicting harm on others.
Get information from credible sources, such as the NHS website and do not believe every video you are forwarded on Whatsapp.
Washing hands
Washing hands thoroughly is very important. In any case it is from the Sunnah to wash hands frequently- when we wake up, before we eat etc.
The recommendation to wash hands for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing happy birthday twice) would be better utilised in dhikr as long as the washroom is clean and the toilet has been flushed.
Reciting the following dua 3 times carries enormous reward:
سُبْحـانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْـدِهِ عَدَدَ خَلْـقِه ، وَرِضـا نَفْسِـه ، وَزِنَـةَ عَـرْشِـه ، وَمِـدادَ كَلِمـاتِـه
Subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi: ‘Adada khalqihi wa ridhaa nafsihi, wa zinata ‘arshihi wa midaada kalimaatihi.
Glory is to Allaah and praise is to Him, by the multitude of his creation, by His Pleasure, by the weight of His Throne, and by the extent of His Words (Recite 3 times in Arabic)
Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out from Juwayriyyah (wife of the Prophet). When he went out she was in her place of worship, and when he returned she was in her place of worship.
He asked: Have you been in your place of worship continuously? She said: Yes. He then said: Since leaving you I have said three times four phrases which, if weighed against all that you have said (during this period), would prove to be heavier: ‘glory be to Allah’ and I begin with praise of Him to the number of His creatures, in accordance with His good pleasure, to the weight of His throne and to the ink (extent) of His words. (Abu Dawoud)
Use duas to protect you and your family
The Prophet (peace be on him) taught us how to deal with our tests. Have reliance on Allah the Almighty and deal with the means. Use the means which protect you.
Firstly, don’t go near those who are afflicted, and secondly use the duas which the Prophet (peace be on him) taught his ummah. We should revive this sunnah and spread it among our families and friends and community. Inshallah nothing will afflict us.
Duas to recite every morning
Whoever says these duas every morning will not be affected.
Khaulah bint Hakim (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that she heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying:
Whosoever alights somewhere and says:
‘A’udhu bikalimat-illahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaqa
‘I seek refuge with the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created,’ nothing will harm him until he leaves that place. (Muslim)
Perfect words means the words of Allah, the cure.
أَعُوذُ بِكلِمَاتِ الله التّامّاتِ مِن شَرّ مَا خَلَقَ، لَمْ يَضُرّهُ شيءٌ حَتّى يَرْحَلَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ ذَلِكَ».رواه مسلم.
الكلمات التامات: الشافية الكافية.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said:
What a trouble I suffered from a scorpion which stung me last night!’ He (ﷺ) said:
Had you said in the evening: ‘
A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaqa
‘I seek the protection of Allah’s Perfect Words from the evil of whatever He has created),’ it would not have harmed you.’ (Muslim)
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ، لَمْ تَضُرَّكَ
‘Uthman bin ‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
He who recites three times every morning and evening:
‘Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’as-mihi shai’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i, wa Huwas-Sami’ul-‘Alim
In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing’ nothing will harm him.
(Abu Dawoud and Tirmidhi)
بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
In another dua the Prophet (peace be on him) sought refuge from leprosy and insanity and other diseases. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to supplicate:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal Barasi, wal- jununi, wal-judhami, wa sayyi’il-asqami
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from vitilgo, insanity, leprosy and evil diseases. (Abu Dawud)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْبَرَصِ وَالْجُنُونِ وَالْجُذَامِ وَمِنْ سَيِّئْ الْأَسْقَامِ
‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate thus:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min zawali ni’matika, wa tahawwuli ‘afiyatika, wa fuja’ati niqmatika, wa jami’i sakhatika
O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the withdrawal of Your Favours, the decline of the good health, the suddenness of Your punishment and all that which displeases You. (Muslim)
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنهما قَال : كَانَ مِنْ دُعَاءِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : ( اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ ، وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ ، وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ ، وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِك) .رواه مسلم
قال عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما : لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَدَعُ هَؤُلاءِ الدَّعَوَاتِ حِينَ يُمْسِي وَحِينَ يُصْبِحُ : ( اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ 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 ) . رواه أبو داود ( 5074 ) وابن ماجه ( 3871 ).
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never failed to utter these supplications in the evening and in the morning:
O Allah, I ask You for security in this world and in the Hereafter:
O Allah! I ask You for forgiveness and security in my religion and my worldly affairs, in my family and my property;
O Allah! conceal my faults and keep me safe from the things which I fear;
O Allah! guard me in front of me and behind me, on my right hand and on my left, and from above me: and I seek in refuge in Your greatness from receiving unexpected harm from below me.
(Abu Dawoud)
Ayat al-Shifa’ – Verses for Healing
وآيات الشفاء في القرآن
There are six verses of healing (shifa) in the Qur’an, which may be recited repeatedly, or 3-7 times each with ayat ul kursi, and the last two ayahs of Surah al-Baqarah and the 3 quls. The most well-known and also the most powerful of these is:
1- And when I am ill, it is He who cures me’ (26:80)
Wa iza maridtu fahuwa yashfeen
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ» الآية 80 من سورة الشعراء.
This was the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and should be recited placing one’s hand on the chest:
2- And heal the breasts of a believing people (Tawbah 9:14)
wa yashfi sudoora qawmim Mu’mineen
وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ» الآية 14 من سورة التوبة.
3- And a healing for that which is in your breasts guidance and a mercy for the believers (Yunus 10:57)
wa shifaaa’ul limaa fis-sudoori wa hudan wa rahmatul – lilmu’mineen
« وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ » الآية 57 من سورة يونس.
4- And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (Israa’ 17:82)
wa nunazzilu minal-Quraani maa huwa shifaaa’un wa rahmatul lil mo’mineen
« وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا » الآية 82 من سورة الإسراء.
5- Wherein is healing for men (Nahl 16:69)
feehi shifaa’ul linnaas
« فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ » الآية 69 من سورة النحل.
6- Say: ‘It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing’. (Fussilat 41:44)
Qul huwa lillazeena ‘aamanoo hudan wa shifaaa’.
« قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ » الآية 44 من سورة فصلت.
Perform ruqya (protection and healing) on yourself and your family
Recite:
- Surah Al-Fatihah
- Last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
- Ayat ul Kursi (2:255)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An Nas seven times each
How to recite it:
Recite slowly and with purity of intention, if you have Wudu’ will be better.
The person performing ruqyah should place their hand on the one who is suffering, ideally on their head.
Recite Allah’s verses slowly, with deep faith three or seven times.
This should be concluded with the following supplication:
Allahumma Rabban naas addhi bil ba’s. Washfi, anta al-Shafi. La shif’a illa shifa’uk, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal him, for You are the Healer and there is no healing except Your healing, with a healing which does not leave any disease behind. ( Bukhari and Muslim)
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبي ﷺ كان يعود بعض أهله يمسح بيده اليمنى ويقول: (اللهم رب الناس أذهب البأس واشف أنت الشافي لا شفاء إلا شفاؤك شفاء لا يغادر سقما) . متفق عليه.
Further duas
عن عبد الله بن خبيب رضي الله عنه قال : خَرَجْنَا فِي لَيْلَةِ مَطَرٍ وَظُلْمَةٍ شَدِيدَةٍ نَطْلُبُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِيُصَلِّيَ لَنَا ، فَأَدْرَكْنَاهُ فَقَالَ : ( أَصَلَّيْتُمْ ؟ ) فَلَمْ أَقُلْ شَيْئًا ، فَقَالَ : ( قُلْ ) ، فَلَمْ أَقُلْ شَيْئًا ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : ( قُلْ ) ، فَلَمْ أَقُلْ شَيْئًا ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : ( قُلْ ) ، فَقُلْتُ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَقُولُ ؟ قَالَ : ( قُلْ : ( قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ) وَالْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ حِينَ تُمْسِي وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ تَكْفِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ) . رواه الترمذي ( 3575 ) وأبو داود ( 5082 ) .
Abdullah ibn Khubayb narrated:
We went out one rainy and intensely dark night to look for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to lead us in prayer, and when we found him, he asked:
Have you prayed? but I did not say anything.
So he said: Say, but I did not say anything.
He again said: Say, but I did not say anything.
He then said: Say.
So I said: What am I to say?
He said: Say: ‘Say, He is Allah, One,’ and al-Mu’awwadhatan three times in the morning and evening; they will serve you for every purpose. (Abu Dawood)
May Allah protect us and our families and give us deep trust in Him. Ameen.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 6th March 2020. Transcribed by Ayesha Khan
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Shaykh Haytham Tamim
Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.
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