Qadr of Allah

By: Aliya Ansari

It’s Friday mid-morning and the news came that Jummah and any other salah are canceled in the masjid. The Haram and Masjid An-Nabawi have already closed their doors to the public: something unfathomable for the Ummah. Everyone is shaken.

We’re reminded of this ayah in Surah Al-Baqarah, “And surely we will test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, give good news to the patient ones.” As a Muslim, as a believer, are we ready to be tested? Our goal is Jannah, and the straight path that leads to Jannah will be encountered by tests. This Covid-19 test is the Qadr of Allah to purify and examine the examinee. How do we stay steadfast in this test? Allah SWT taught us that too. He gave us an open exam. The answers are right there in Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 153, “Oh believers! Seek help through patience and prayer.”

If we really think deep, it’s not that big of a test compared to what people have gone through in the past. The Qur’an and Seerah are full of events such as the boycott of Shib Abi Talib who was without food, stock, supplies and trade. Why? Because of spreading the message of Allah.

We are in the luxuries of our home, sustained, well fed, well informed, and very well socially connected. At this time let’s reconnect with our Rabb and prolong our salah and dhikr. Ponder over the Qur’an. Spend quality time with family. Instill the love of Islam and Qur’an in our kids. Impact people. Be the people Allah describes in Surah Baqarah, Ayah 177. Let’s focus on our genuine efforts and leave the results on the Almighty.

This is our wake-up call. Time to put our individual and combined efforts to work. If this calamity brings us closer to Allah, then it’s certainly a blessing. Let’s make our bank balance for the Akhirah into an account. The same test can become a punishment with the wrong, negative, and complaining attitude.

Surah Al-Mu’minoon, ayah 76: “We seize them with punishment, but they did not submit to their Lord, nor did they supplicate humbly.” Allah is actually cleansing us for our Akhirah. Let’s take this opportunity and come out strong, cleansed, and pure Insha’Allah.

This is the exam. We are the examinee. We already have the solved paper. Open it, ponder upon it, spread it, and most importantly act upon it. A momin is raazi in the Qadr of Allah and Allah will be raazi with him on the Day of Judgement Insha’Allah.