THE CAURSES,EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS OF COVID-19

In the name of Allah the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Praise be to Allah under Whose Might all worlds are subdued and humanity acknowledge and surrender to Him in fear.

We seek His forgivess and we also seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our souls,  and the mistakes in our actions
I testify that  there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah, and I testify that our Master Muhammad (S. A. W)  is His chosen servent and Messenger.

May Allah's peace and blessing be upon His final messenger, Muhammad (S. A. W), his purified household, his chosen and virtuous companions and all those who shall strictly adhere to his teachings until the last day.
As to what follows: Our topic for today's presentation is based on Islamic view on the cause of Covid 19 and the solution.

We pray that Allah purify our intentions and accept it from us all. Aameeen

Before delving into the topic, I want us to establish and clarify two points  which will help us appreciate the topic:

Firstly:  It is a known fact that we are currently living in an era of materialism where almost  everything is attributed to materialistic causes. However as believers, we have to correct this widely held wrong notion by going back to the two fundamentals and revelead sources of Islamic law, thus, the Qur'aan and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet to search for answers pertaining our physical (worldly) and spiritual (religious) matters.  It is only through that that we shall attain success in this life and hereafter. As Allah states in the Glorious Qur'aan in chapter 6:38 which translates to the closest meaning " .....We have neglected nothing in the book (Qur'aan)..... "
From the above verse we can conclude that everything is stated in the Qur'aan and or authentic Sunnah. However, my knowledge or your knowledge might be insignificant to find certain things in the Qur'aan or the authentic Sunnah. Nevertheless this will not mean non-existence. Thus, your lack of knowledge on something does not mean it does not exist. Becauseas Allah says we are we are not given aught of knowledge but a little. (Qur'aan 17:85).
This does not however dispute the fact that we should not ask those who are above us in knowledge if we do not know  as Allah commanded us in Qur'aan 16: 43.
Secondly, it is worth noting that, we as Muslims do believe that there is trial/test  of which the greatest trials was experienced by the Prophets and the righteous servants of Allah.

The prophet was once asked  about the most afflicted with Allah's test. The Prophet replied by saying the Prophets,  then the righteous servants of Allah and it follows in that order. A man is tested based on his level of faith.  This,  the greater the level of your Eemaan,  the greater the trial from Allah and vice versa.  We pray that Allah  try us with only that which we are capable. Aameeen.

These are some verses that talked about test from Allah.
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 155:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient.

Again Allan states in Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 214:

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ

Or do you think that you would enter the garden while yet the state of those who have passed away before you has not come upon you; distress and affliction befell them and they were shaken violently, so that the Apostle and those who believed with him said: When will the help of Allah come? Now surely the help of Allah is nigh!

Surah Al-Ankaboot, Verse 2 -3
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ

And certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know those who are true and He will certainly know the liars.
 

Lastly, for the purpose of our time is  Surah Muhammad, Verse 31:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ

And most certainly We will try you until We have known those among you who exert themselves hard, and the patient, and made your case manifest.
 

The above verses and many more (not quoted) depict the fact that trials is inevitable in a believers life.  However, the Covid 19 pandemic is not a trial.

What then is the cause of the Covid 19 pandemic ? In simply answer, it is as a result of our sins, open violation of the commandments of Allah and ungratefulness.
OH Yes they are the cause.  Don't be upset I will prove that Inshaa Allah from the Qur'aanand the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet.
Imam Muzzamil: Before that,  let me make this point for better understanding. In Islaam we believe in the principle of causation or the principle of cause and effect. However,  it is not a necessary condition when it comes to Allah's decision. To exemply it, we all know that naturally for a woman to give birth she has to get a man by her side. However, in the case of Mariam (Alaihas-salaam)  it is not so.  This means that it is not the case that every cause has to follow it's known accompanying effect when it comes to Allah's work or decision.
Imam Muzzamil: Now back to the point that sin is the major cause of Covid 19 pandemic since Allah will not treat anyone unjustly. As Allah says in Qur'aan 43:76
Imam Muzzamil: وَمَا ظَلَمْنَاهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوا هُمُ الظَّالِمِينَ

And We are not unjust to them, but they themselves were unjust.
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In Qur'aan 4:79 Allah states

مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

Whatever benefit comes to you (O man!), it is from Allah, and whatever misfortune befalls you, it is from yourself, and We have sent you (O Prophet!), to mankind as an apostle; and Allah is sufficient as a witness.
A related verse to the above is found in Qur'aan 42: 30

وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ

And whatever affliction befalls you, it is on account of what your hands have wrought, and (yet) He pardons most (of your faults).

 Commenting on the above two verses,  Imaam ibn Katheer states that, it means  when evil befalls men it is as  result of their actions (bad actions).  He further mentioned that scholars such as As-Suddi, Al-Hassanul Basari, Ibn Jurayj and Ibn Zaid are of the view that "from your self"(فمن نفسك ) means because of your errors (Sins). However Imaam Kataadah said "from yourself" (فمن نفسك)  means as a punishment for you because of your sins.
[7/5, 21:29] Imam Muzzamil: It is worth noting that,  the punishment of Allah is not proportionate to our sins if not none will continue to exit on the surface of the earth not even an ant. To justify that Allah says in Qur'aan 35:45

: وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا

And were Allah to punish men for what they earn, He would not leave on the back of it any creature, but He respites them till an appointed term; so when their doom shall come, then surely Allah is Seeing with respect to His servants.
Again let's look at Qur'aan chapter 30 verse 41. Allah says :
  ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have wrought, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may return.
A related verse can be found in Qur'aan 7:168 which states
....... وَبَلَوْنَاهُم بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

......, and We tried them with blessings and misfortunes that they might turn (by repenting to Allah)
  

Finally in Qur'aan chapter 7  Verse 94: states
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّا أَخَذْنَا أَهْلَهَا بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَضَّرَّعُونَ

And We did not send a prophet in a town but We overtook its people with distress and affliction in order that they might humble themselves.
Hence,  the essence of punishment through Covid 19 and other afflictions is for  us to repent to Allah and avoid sins both on land and on sea.

To clearly understand the above verse (thus, Qur'aan 30: 41) is the Hadith recorded in Sunan Ibn Maajah, Hadith no 4019 and classified as good by Shaikh Naasirud-deen Albaani in his book titled Al-silsilatus Saheehah.
The Prophet said, O you the congregation of the Muhaajireen, five things if you are tested with them,  and I seek Allah's refuge (for you)  that you don't meet them.  Sin (disobedience of Allah) will not be present in a group of people until they make it open except that there will be widespread of plaque and sickness that was not present in the previous in the previous generation......

Below is the Hadith in Arabic
  

يا معشر المهاجرين خمس إذا ابتليتم بهن وأعوذ بالله أن تدركوهن لم تظهر الفاحشة في قوم قط حتى يعلنوا بها إلا فشا فيهم الطاعون والأوجاع التي لم تكن مضت في أسلافهم الذين مضوا ولم ينقصوا المكيال والميزان إلا أخذوا بالسنين وشدة المئونة وجور السلطان عليهم ولم يمنعوا زكاة أموالهم إلا منعوا القطر من السماء ولولا البهائم لم يمطروا ولم ينقضوا عهد الله وعهد رسوله إلا سلط الله عليهم عدوا من غيرهم فأخذوا بعض ما في أيديهم وما لم تحكم أئمتهم بكتاب الله ويتخيروا مما أنزل الله إلا جعل الله بأسهم بينهم
وصف :  قال الشيخ الألباني : حسن # سند الحديث : # حدثنا محمود بن خالد الدمشقي ثنا سليمان بن عبد الرحمن أبو أيوب عن بن أبي مالك عن أبيه عن عطاء بن أبي رباح عن عبد الله بن عمر قال أقبل علينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال
الصفحة أو الرقم :   1332 / 4019
خلاصة حكم المحدث :  حـسـن
اسم الكتاب :  سنن ابن ماجة
Let's Ponder and reflect on the above Hadit. Let's not look for the sins outside but rather in our own homes. Which sin haven't we commit openly. We sit to watch naked women on the devil box (television) with our children while laughing as if it is nothing grievous in the sight of Allah. New Married women dancing infeont of strange men and we praise and commend them. Advertising immorality, among others.
The Prophet clearly states in that Hadith  that if we get to that level, then sickness and plague that were known in the previous generation will be rampant in our mist.

Do great grandparents know sickness such as ebola,  Corona virus, among others. Obviously No.

Am therefore calling on all of us to avoid publicizing our sins if not stopping it.
The second cause as stated earlier is ungratefulness to the bounties of Allah by not recognizing Him as the sole giver of all things.
 To justify that,  let's look at Surah An-Nahl, Verse 112:
Allah states :

وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ

And Allah sets forth a parable: (Consider) a town safe and secure to which its means of subsistence come in abundance from every quarter; but it became ungrateful to Allah's favors, therefore Allah made it to taste the utmost degree of hunger and fear because of what they wrought.
[7/5, 21:45] Imam Muzzamil: Commenting in the above verse Imaam ibn Katheer states that,  the example given refers to the people Makkah. They were secured and living peacefully. Their provisions were coming to them in abundance with ease and in plenty from angles they least expect.
Bit despite that they denied the the favors and blessing of Allah. As a result of that,  Allah replaced their earlier blessings and favours with extreme hunger and fear. This,  their security was replaced with fear and hardship.
May Allah protect one and all. Aameeen

A related verse is found in Qur'aan chapter 34 Surah Saba, Verses 15 - 17
لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ كُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ

Certainly there was a sign for Saba in their abode; two gardens on the right and the left; eat of the sustenance of your Lord and give thanks to Him: a good land and a Forgiving Lord!
[7/5, 21:49] Imam Muzzamil: Verse 16:
فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ

But they turned aside, so We sent upon them a torrent of which the rush could not be withstood, and in place of their two gardens We gave to them two gardens yielding bitter fruit and (growing) tamarisk and a few lote-trees.

Surah Saba, Verse 17:
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَهَلْ نُجَازِي إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ

This We requited them with because they disbelieved; and We do not punish any but the 

UNGRATEFUL.
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According to Imaam ibn Katheer the people of Saba were living a life of luxury with plentiful provisions, fruits and crops. Allah through His messenger asked them to eat His provisions and be thankful to Him. But instead they turned away from that which they were commanded to do so Allah punished them in all directions.
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May Allah protect us against his wrath and punishment. Aameeen
 

We can deduce from the above verses that Forgivenss and Allah's bounties will only come to us if we worship Him alone without ascribing partners to  Him or going to soothsayer, booka Mallams, among others seeking assistance from them
 

Because of our time we will only list them with few references Inshaa Allah
 

1. Enjoining the good and forbidding the bad by starting from our homes.
 

Reference, Qur'aan 3:104-105

Qur'aan 22:40-41

Qur'aan 3:110

Qur'aan 5:78

2. Fear of Allah in all our dealings both openly and in secrecy. Reference Qur'aan 7:96-99
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3. Constantly thanking Allah for His favours upon us.
Reference Qur'aan 14:7
 

May Allah forgive our shortings, accept it from us and make us implement all that we have said. Aameeen

As Salaamu Alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh