Coronavirus and the Quran

wrong-doing nor will He show them any other way [4: 167-168]

Punishment and Warnings from God

God in the Quran states publicly that if people reject the Truth without any genuine reason and insists on falsehood and commit wrong doings making life difficult for people, He will warn and punish them here in this world. This is made clear again and again in the Quran.

“Surely clear evidence has come to you from your lord, which is both guidance and a mercy. Who, then, is more unjust than he who gave the lie to the Signs of God and turned away from them? And We shall soon requite those who turn away from Our Signs with a severe chastisement for having turned away [6: 157]” ; “We surely sent down to you clear ayahs that elucidate the Truth, [ayahs] which only the transgressors reject as false [2: 99]”.

God has arranged in the world the order of things in such a way that individuals, nations and countries periodically face calamities. Recently, Bill Gates said even after 20 years we may face a corona type of virus. The purpose here is to remind people their utter helplessness, even for a short time. We are bound to realize there exists a pervasive supreme power.

We should realize that our destiny is controlled by someone, mightier, more knowledgeable, and wiser than ourselves. It does not, however, mean that we ignore our destiny. We must work for it and at the same time depending on God and seeking His guidance. Rebellion against Him in the form of rejection of His guidance and teachings invite His wrath. We have to acknowledge, in the light of helplessness of so-called advanced and powerful nations, the real power and authority rests with God, Real and True – Unseen God. The occurrence of corona virus serves as a warning from God and dispels to us our misconceptions. It should prompt us to recognize the reality of things, man and God. By deriving lessons from current phenomena of corona virus we should mend our ways of learning, thinking, doing by embracing right way of life and right and truthful epistemology and methodology. This will help us to save ourselves from the chastisement in this world and the Next world. The current wave of corona virus is not the punishment but a warning from God:

O my Lord, forgive us and have mercy on us, for You are the best of those that are merciful [23:118]. You are not dead but Alive.