With the recent spike of #COVID19 cases in our country – reaching an all-time high at a 4-digits in recent days, may Allah protect us – it’s appropriate to remind us on the advice given by the Prophet ﷺ to his cousin, Abdullah ibn Abbas, on some practical advice on HOW we can attain the Protection of Allah and remain calm in these times of global crisis:
احْفَظْ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْك
“Protect (the rights of) Allah, and Allah will protect you”
Simple, but deep advice.
Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said, “it is understood to mean being mindful of the limits set by Allah, being mindful of His Rights, what He has ordered and what He has prohibited” (Noor)
When it comes to the Rights of Allah upon us, when it comes to our daily lives, the #1 priority for a Muslim to be mindful of and guard is the 5-daily prayer, as Allah explicitly instructs us:
حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّـهِ قَانِتِينَ
“Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle prayer ('Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience” (2:238)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: Which of the actions is best? He replied:
الصَّلاَةُ فِي أَوَّلِ وَقْتِهَا
“Performing prayer early in its period.” (Abu Daud)
In practice, guarding the Rights of Allah also means: fulfilling our other obligations (e.g. towards our family, our jobs), abstaining from the haram, sincere repentance from the sins we have committed, and striving to perform as many righteous deeds as possible, including charity, da’wah, and others.
Many of us, when we face situations of difficulty, will immediately turn to the physical means to protect ourselves - SOP, staying at home, and so on.
Which is all good, Alhamdulillah, but how many of us immediately turn into self-introspection and put in extra effort to improve ourselves, knowing with confidence that this is a means to earn Allah’s Protection?
Remember the words of Allah:
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّـهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ
And whosoever has taqwa of Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will Grant a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). (2) And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
Now, what does it mean to earn the Protection of Allah?
Ibn Rajab states: “Allah protects the servant in more than one way. First, He guards and protects the person’s worldly interests and needs, such as protecting his body, wife, children and wealth.
In fact, it is even said that due to a person’s righteousness, his children and even grandchildren are protected and guarded by Allah" - as understood in the third story of Musa and Khidr in surah Al-Kahf.
One time, Sa’eed ibn Al-Musayyab said to his son, “O my son, I increase in my prayers for your sake, hoping that you will be preserved due to it.” Then he recited the verse,
وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا
“And their father was a righteous man” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:82)
The rest of the hadith talks about profound lessons in Qadr (predestination):
إذَا سَأَلْت فَاسْأَلْ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْت فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاَللَّهِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوْ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوك بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوك إلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَك، وَإِنْ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوك بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوك إلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْك؛ رُفِعَتْ الْأَقْلَامُ، وَجَفَّتْ الصُّحُفُ
“If you ask, then ask Allah [alone];
and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone].
And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you.
And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”
(Compiled in hadith #19 under Imam An-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith, narrated by At-Tirmidzi who graded it hasan sahih)
Allah is in control over all affairs, including every atom of the coronavirus spreading in the world as we speak. Had He willed, he could immediately let it disappear in an instant.
Yet, He, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem (the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful), Al-Aziz, Al-Qadir, (All-Powerful), Al-Hakeem (All-Wise) willed for these things to occur for wisdoms known only to Him.
If you have guarded His Rights and lived a life of righteousness, then rest assured, no matter what the outcome will be what is best for you in the long run: if not in this dunya, definitely in the Hereafter.
Trials like our times present an opportunity of reflection and introspection for those who are in relative ease, who still have their good health intact: to be more proactive about changing ourselves, before our time is too late.
In another narration also compiled in Hadith #19, the Prophet ﷺ said:
تَعَرَّفْ إلَى اللَّهِ فِي الرَّخَاءِ يَعْرِفُك فِي الشِّدَّةِ
“Get to know Allah in times of Ease, and He will Know you in times of difficulty” (Musnad Ahmad)
May Allah keep us steadfast in His obedience and guarding in His Rights, and in turn, Protect us in this dunya and the hereafter.
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