Patience on Hardships

The world is very highly connected and interrelated today. With the advances in technology, while areas are remote, I can’t think of a place on earth that is totally isolated. Satellites cover probably every inch of space on planet Earth. Transportation allows people and goods to reach the farthest destination within a day more or less. And then there is communication. As we know news and information can be spread throughout the world in real time.
One of the stories that has caught the interest of millions in the Middle East and beyond is the spread of MERS which is an acronym for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. MERS is a respiratory illness that is in the same family as the common cold. While it has slowly spread since 2012, I don’t think that when considering the fact that Saudi Arabia has around 30 million inhabitants, it is nowhere near being at a stage that could be considered a plague.
People often consider the spreading of a disease a plague but the plague was and continues to be a specific disease. It is a serious bacterial infection that is transmitted by fleas. It was widespread during the Middle Ages when it was called the Black Death. I think that people have come to view any disease that claims many victims and is widespread to be a plague. However it does not seem to me that MERS can even remotely be put into this category.
But in no way, shape or form am I trying to lessen the seriousness of this illness. What I want to do is share some aspects of what Allah the Exalted and His Messenger (May the Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) have taught us about dealing with the hardships that life invariably will test us with. In Suratul Baqarah Allah has said:
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Saabireen (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity say: “Truly to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. Qur'aan, Surah 2 verses 155-157.
Islamic scholars have written extensively about these verses and I cannot come close to their enlightenment on this topic. I just want to point out that at times individuals and societies have been ordained by Allah to undergo certain hardships. I am not suggesting that we sit passively while things happen around us. Just as I mentioned above that the world is closely connected today, medical minds from different parts of the world have joined forces with the medical establishment in Saudi Arabia to come up with a cure for this disease.
But I am suggesting that we try to follow the words of Allah that were mentioned above as well as the words of the wisest of wise men Rasulullah (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) who said: “Never is a believer stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn except that Allah will expiate his sins because of his patience (in coping with the situation).” He also mentioned that Sabr (the patience when one controls oneself) is rewarded when it is applied at the onset of the affliction.
May Allah make it easy for everyone who is being tested by this illness and other types of illnesses. Ameen!