Remedy lies with the One from where the adversity has come

Ever since the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in Wuhan (China) a few months ago, efforts are being made to trace the “culprit” responsible for spreading the contagion, that has taken more than 125,000 lives  across the world and infected more than 1.5 million people. Overall, more than 200 countries of all continents have been affected by the disease.

As the fast-spreading Covid-19 was playing havoc in all countries President Trump called it “China Virus”, implying that the Communist giant is behind the adversity, an allegation immediately rubbished by the world’s most populated state. Some others raised fingers at the US.

Muslim scholars called the adversity a punishment, as well as a warning from Allah.

But US intelligence has now indicated that the coronavirus is likely to have occurred “naturally”, as opposed to being created in any laboratory in any country.

This has been stated by US General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Asked at a Pentagon briefing whether he had any evidence that the virus perhaps began in a Chinese laboratory and was perhaps released accidentally, Milley was non-committal.

“There’s a lot of rumour and speculation in a wide variety of media, the blog sites, etc. It should be no surprise to you that we’ve taken a keen interest in that and we’ve had a lot of intelligence take a hard look at that,” Milley said.

“And I would just say, at this point, it’s inconclusive although the weight of evidence seems to indicate natural. But we don’t know for certain.”

After the top US general’s remarks, President Trump or anyone else is left with no justification to implicate China or any other entity.

The US general has, in fact, vindicated Muslim beliefs.

Holy Quran says in Surah Taghabun (Verse 11): “No calamity befalls, but by the Leave of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart (to the true faith with certainty. This means what has befallen a man was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments). And Allah is knower of everything”.

Then Surah Ash-Shura (Verse 30) says:  And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.

Both these verses mean that any calamity is the result of the misdoings of people and it comes by Allah’s leave.

Muslim scholars say after the corona outbreak that the adversity is both a punishment and a warning. They think Allah has shown His might both to the believers and non-believers. 

He has demonstrated His ability to do all things by changing the world within no time. In their opinion, the adversity can be averted only through collective repentance and invocation for forgiveness. Although these remedies can be practiced any time, the month of fasting (due to begin on April 25) offers the best opportunity.

Non-Muslim countries should also look into their conduct and try to find out what they should do to escape what the U.S. General says has come from nature.

Christians and Jews, who are people of Scripture, should also look at the calamity from religious point of view. Instead of pinning the coronavirus tag on any country for political reasons they should identify their wrongdoings and seek forgiveness of the Lord of the Worlds.

The World Health Organization (WHO) should also play its role in stamping out the contagion. Poor countries that don’t have resources to combat the calamity deserve special attention.

At this crucial hour when this disease has made the world helpless there is little justification for the US to deny WHO its funds.

President Trump will be doing a good job by enhancing allocation for the organization to enable it to play a more effective role in difficult situations.

The WHO should also consider the idea of calling a meeting of countries that have conducted some research on the treatment of coronavirus.  These countries should share their experiences to benefit humanity.