We have been conditioned for nearly two years now to live in a state of perpetual fear of the emergent COVID-19 virus, and while it is important to recognize the real dangers of this new viral plague that has, fear blinds us and distances us from truth, light, balance and clarity. Fear is the opposite of faith, and when we succumb to fear, we become veiled from knowledge and wisdom.
In everything there is wisdom and divine purpose including the emergence of COVID-19, and in this post, I would like to share two key, albeit hidden, blessings of the pandemic.
Hidden Blessings of COVID-19, #1: Death
And say not of those who are slain in the way of God, “They are dead.” No, they are living, though you perceive it not.
Surah al-Baqarah [2:154]
While the elderly and immune-compromised have cause for greater concern, the likelihood of a normal healthy individual dying from COVID-19 is extremely low—a fraction of a percent. Nevertheless, there is the real possibility that you may die from COVID-19. Yet herein is an opportunity to reframe even this worst case scenario.
According to the Messenger of God ﷺ in recorded tradition, one who dies from a plague or pandemic is with the will, mercy and grace of God granted the rank of a martyr—a shaheed—which is one of the greatest attainments a soul can aspire to.
Furthermore, Allah Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an that they who have attained the rank of martyrdom are not dead, but in reality have attained to true and eternal life, and are sustained by sacred light and power from the Presence of their Lord.
Think not of those who are slain in the way of God as dead. No, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. They rejoice in the bounty provided by God.
Surah Ali Imran [3:170]
As believers, how can we fear such a grant and possibility? Rather than fear it, we must welcome it and be grateful for such if it is in our destiny, for how else can one attain the rank of martyrdom in such days?
To be clear, by no means am I advocating seeking to become ill and die from COVID-19 or anything else, for self-preservation is also a pillar and principle of the sacred law—the shari’ah.
We must take reasonable and rational precautions to not get sick, yet we must not fear and relearn to reframe reality as we experience it through the lens of faith rather than corrosive and debilitating fear.
Hidden Blessings of COVID-19, #2: Life
Having just come through what I feel was a particularly difficult case of COVID-19 that left me incapacitated and bedridden for two full weeks, I have experienced significant shifts in my self and state of consciousness as a net result.
So much of what concerned me regarding and within the temporal and transient world seems to have died, and I am simply no longer interested.
During the illness, I did not have the strength, the will or the capacity to care for anything other than simply breathing, be-ing and existing—the bare basics of living.
COVID-19 was the worst illness I personally have ever experienced, and while I was in a world of misery while going through it, the net result has been profoundly positive, and for that I am grateful.
The reality is that when we are brought near unto death, we are brought near unto what is real and that truly matters. One begins to realize how utterly meaningless, vain and empty so much of our concerns in otherwise normal daily life and living are.
When we face death, the fact that our time on earth is extremely limited shifts from being simply an acknowledged fact that has little bearing on how we actually choose to live our daily lives to being a far more profound, actualized and realized reality that begins to change how we actually live as a result.
In my case, I am no longer interested carrying the burdens of the world. I am fully content to let the people of the world have it. Rather, I would now aim to focus my time, energy and consciousness on what truly matters: #1) Faith, #2) Family (actual and spiritual).
In the end, all that will matter is our relationships—our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. That’s it. We take nothing else with us. Only love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important for us to remember that all happens by the will of the Divine and that ultimately everything serves a divine purpose. We are not here on earth to fear, but rather to learn to believe, and thus attain to peace, prosperity and purpose. Reject fear, and instead choose faith.
Also, there are tremendous benefits and value in both remembering death often and also in seclusion, isolation and detachment from the world. Such serves the awakening of the heart and soul, and it is with divine purpose that spiritual masters and teachers have throughout history used seclusion as a key tool and technology in the awakening of the human being.
With regards to COVID-19, we must within reason take common sense precautions to protect ourselves and others without succumbing to irrational and debilitating fear as a result of media messaging and manipulation.
If you happen to contract the illness, take any and all measures to heal, yet surrender and seek the hidden blessings of God through it and any other trial you may face in life.
To your divine and eternal success.
22 Responses
Jazak Allah Kahir for the information. Allahamdulillah glad you are doing well. Did you get the vaccination?
Most welcome, wa iyyakum, Asifa. No, I have not been vaccinated. I had consciously accepted that sooner or later, I would have to rely on my immune system to overcome the illness. Unfortunately, it hit me when I was depleted and already in a weakened state. Nevertheless, all praise be to Allah Almighty Who makes healing possible.
Insha Allah Ameen. After this experience what are your thoughts on vaccine? Jazak Allah Kahir.
Personally, I agree with Dr. Robert Malone, the inventor of mRNA vaccine technology, who states that there is a danger in over-vaccinating the population and that vaccines for COVID-19 should really only be used for those who are most at risk, i.e. the elderly and those who are somehow immune compromised or with complicating comorbidities. Yet each must follow the guidance that is revealed to them.
Brother Ihsan,
There is more info coming out daily showing that the trials were rushed, inadequate, this is a new technology. It could be argued that those who say the elderly should get it alone are the old guard who play eugenics with the elderly, providing an experimental treatment with no long term data given to those who – surprise surprise – are a burden, while wanting the young flock to remain. The other side are those who want everyone getting shots every 6 months, including children. Neither side of the coin is correct: there is healing in many things – vitamins, herbal medicine, homeopathy and even allopathy. But to consciously experiment on the sons of Adam is a sharr from the unseen realms and their foolish accomplices in the earthly realms.
Alhamdulillah my brother, the vaccine does not prevent Covid. My niece is an assistant pharmacist. She got both shots. Her boyfriend caught Covid then she caught it and their baby. Their fine not hospitalized they were sent home with initial symptoms.
I sincerely apologize for not reaching out earlier and formissing this opportunity to make duaa for shifaa. Alhamdulillah for your recovery and congratulations for what will now be, with Allah’s grace and mercy, a stronger immune system. May Allah grant you a long and healthy life in His service.
Allahumma ameen. Thank you sister Kenza. Alhamdulillah, have made a full recovery with the divine will, grace and mercy of God. May His divine peace and protection ever be with you.
السلام عليكمIhsan Bhai.So nice to hear you are feeling better ما شاء الله A calamity that brings you closer to Allah is far better than a blessing that takes you away.I messaged you and didn’t hear back so I had a feeling something was wrong.
Be kind and gentle to yourself and don’t push yourself too much.The world will wait while you mend إن شاء الله.
Please do let me know if you need any help with anything.
Kind regards,
Lahore 🇵🇰🤲🏻🧿
Blessed salaams sister Shazia. I pray all is well with you in Pakistan, and that your affairs are going well. Indeed, a lesson that was certainly learned even more so through this experience is that the world will go on, or wait, and that there is no god but God, that He Almighty is responsible for the world, and not I. It really brought me to a far greater state of presence and peace. Thank you, and may His light and support be with you.
Salam mu alaykum brother Ihsan, indeed an interesting experience, I should also point out I had come out of a similar experience Subhan Allah and the near death experience had given me the opportunity to understand in a more profound way the purpose of life and the appreciation of my worship more so (Sajda and meditation) I do feel that also my new found consciousness of death has also become meaningful , I am 68 years of age and found new meaning in my purpose in this world…Allahu Akbar
Masha’Allah, thank you for sharing, Sidi Ismail. Surrender to, acknowledgement and acceptance of death truly does liberate. In fact, my latest post—How to Become Fearless—is precisely on this topic. Best of God’s divine favors be with you in this life and the next.
Al hamdu lillah,! Al hamdu lillah!, Al hamdu lillah!
As Salaam Alaikum Ihsan, so happy to hear you’ve been Blessed to return to good health. Thank you for the words of wisdom, reminders, and inspiration.
Thank you sister Najla, very appreciative of your support and prayers. May Allah Almighty keep us all healthy and strong so that we may serve His divine will to the best of our abilities. Best and most blessed regards.
السلام عليكم brother Ihsan.
May Allah SWT continue to strengthen you and restore your health.
Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom, it helps to be reminded of our overall purpose in life.
في أمانة الله
Allahumma ameen. Thank you, Fatima. May Allah Almighty’s divine mercy and protection be with you and your loved ones always. In His divine light and strength.
Assalamualaikum Brother Ihsan.
Sorry I come to know of your illness only lately after reading your near death experience.
Alhamdulillah you have gone through it becoming stronger spiritually.
May Allah swt extend your life even stronger and give you greater taufiq in your dakwah efforts.
Thank you, Alias, and ameen—we pray for long lives for the sake of fulfilling divine purpose and increasing in goodness, and that Allah Almighty grant us all the best of ends. To your divine and eternal success.
Assalamu’alaikum brother Ihsan. I am shock to know of your illness lately but very happy that you are now recuperating. May Allah swt restore your health and strength so that you can keep sending us reminders and motivations. Thank you for your tireless words of aspirations and wisdom.
Allahumma ameen, thank you so much for your prayers and concern, Syed Yusof. Alhamdulillah, with the grace and will of Allah Almighty, I have fully recovered and grateful for the experience. Best and most blessed regards.
Brother Ihsan,
For calling out fear and for knowing that God is behind all things, sharr and khair, this was a good video. You touched on hysteria, right now there is a state of confusion in which there is no black or white. This is a state of confusion the prophet (saw) warned against. There is a rabbit hole at every turn of the narrative: the virus origins are contested (where did they get the sequence from?), the tests are contested, asymptomatic spread is contested, the efficacy of the shots are contested, whether children should get it is contested. There is no long term data. Wherever you stand, passes that control movement and access to jobs, food, public spaces is a new precedent. People across the world are being deprived of food and income. The new normal is a divided world based on fear. It is also global, another precedence. Believers and the ummah of Muhammad (saw) have an obligation to counteract the fear.
Absolutely, friend, it is our duty to stand against fear and hysteria, for these are counter to faith and the will of God. Indeed, these are strange times, yet there is protection in worship, and to that we must return. To your divine and eternal success.