THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE CONCEPT OF SHIFA IN IS LAM

By: Gina Klaff

It's been more than a year since the Coronavirus was first identified and went on to become a global pandemic. Through the dark times, there has also been light in the form of many that have come together to strive for cure and healing. Many have asked Allah (SWT) through his infinite mercy to grant the sick Shifa. What does this word mean and what is its connection to illness.

“We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe; to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss

Surah Al-Isra' Verse 82

The word Shifa translates directly to healing or cure. While there are Ayahs (verses) that contain the word Shifa (as in the example above), in essence, the entire Qur`an is a source of physical and spiritual healing for those who ponder upon its meaning. In Islam, we believe that all good and bad comes from Allah (SWT) for different reasons. When Allah (SWT) grants Shifa to people, it comes in different forms, some of which, as humans, we don`t understand. What we do know is that if it brings us closer to Allah (SWT) and brings out the good in us, then whether it was something we liked or disliked, it was in the form of a blessing.

​Shifa in the form of Medical Treatment
With the continued loss of lives and increased infection rates, the Coronavirus pandemic caused devastation that no one could have foreseen. With the tireless commitment of health workers, scientists and citizens dedicated to the cause, there has been hope. In Islam, we believe that Shifa comes from Allah (SWT) but praying for Shifa needs to be done together with active precautions and seeking of medical interventions. As Shifa comes in different forms, we have seen it in the form of our Health workers going beyond the call of duty to save lives and the people that have supported them by trying to prevent the spread of the virus such as wearing masks, sanitizing, practicing social distance and trying to stay safe and healthy. 

With the scientific breakthrough of vaccines, there has now been an additional form of preventing the spread of the virus. While there has been a considerable amount of research, debate and even skepticism, the efforts being done to seek, understand and make available the necessary treatments have been a source of healing to many. 
We can still continue to heal physically and keep ourselves and other safe by continuing to wear masks, exercising or stretching, and drinking water and getting enough sleep. By caring for our own physical well-being, we can better help ourselves and others make it through these difficult times.​

Spiritual Healing
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If there`s one thing that we learned from this past year, is that life is precious. With the entire world being affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic, it has brought many closer to Allah (SWT) in knowing that we are at his mercy. Spiritual healing is achieved once we fear Allah (SWT) alone and all our actions are for the sake of Allah (SWT). We start understanding that life is temporary and detach ourselves from the material to focus more on what is truly best for us – love for oneself and others, gratitude, humility, kindness and spreading good.

​Spiritual healing is something everyone can practice in their daily lives through prayer or meditation, giving to those in need if your means allow, and performing small acts of kindness for your friends and family. While becoming closer to Allah (SWT), you can also become closer to your inner self and others.

Self-care and the road ahead
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Whether you`ve been Covid Positive or not, in some way, everyone has been affected. You might`ve lost a loved one, taken care of someone that was ill, or just been overwhelmed with the way its disrupted our way of living. One thing is for sure, we all need healing in some way. The best way to start is by taking care of yourself. No matter how daunting the road ahead might seem, there is always hope. And where there is hope, there is healing.
Remedies for feeling overwhelmed or stressed can be as simple as organizing or cleaning your bedroom or personal space, playing a game with people you care about, or engaging in a hobby. Taking time to do these small activities can help you decompress from work and the stresses of daily life, and they can help you remain present in the moment.

Has there been someone that helped you with healing during this time of the Pandemic? Or have you helped take care of someone that was affected? Drop a comment below, we would love to hear about your stories of hope and healing!