“……. Annus horribilis (Horrible year)” Should this year be cursed? — Muslims and the 2020 anecdote

We humans have the effrontery, the courage, the boldness to always put the blame of whatever befell us upon others while refusing to acknowledge that we ourselves are the architects of our downfall. We have blamed the Shaytan for our fall from grace when we were expunged from paradise. We were explicitly warned not to come near the tree, but we let our desires pave the way for the whisperings of Shaytan (Suratu Ta-Ha vs 120–123). Some people would approach Shaytan on the day of judgement expecting to lay the blame of their misfortune on him (Suratu Ibrahim vs 22). Same can be seen when every criminal when caught puts the blame on the devil for his or her misdeed. Whereas, as rightly denied by the devil in the last quoted verse, he only made the call, and it is left to anyone to heed or refuse.

We alive today all woke up on the 1st of January 2020 expecting it to be a great year. The one we have planned and are pretty sure it would turn out well. To our greatest shock and surprise, it turned out to be a different story. Presently, we are not sure of what to expect in the coming year or years. This begs the question or even brings forth the reality that this year is really “cursed”, “horrible” or is summarily a whole package of “misfortunes”. As Muslims, should our outward reaction or inward reflections demonstrate these ideals? Well, here is a submission and answer to that poser! You can read and reflect along.

Allah states in the Qur’an, Surat Ar — Rum vs 41 about the fact that humans must surely “reap the fruit of their labours”. We have spread mischief and we have planted the seeds of greed. We have fertilized the earth with bloods of the innocent, and we tread this earth like we would never give account of our deeds. The planting seasons are over and it is time to harvest, yet we were shocked at the spoil. What were we expecting? There is no doubt that we would definitely have a taste of the Wickedness, Tyranny and Oppression that have become rife among us. Even the animals are not safe or other forms of life that share this planet with us. So, let us be practical, take the blame, and heed the solution at least for once! And as Allah concluded the verse “……..perhaps they will turn back (from evil)’’, it is imperative we live up to that if surely we want an end to pandemics such as the dreaded coronavirus.

To digress a bit, here is a piece of news, “there is a new Coronavirus variant” and no one knows the extend of its impact or power. This seems as a shocker as we have not even finished contending with the previous strain and more than a million lives have been lost.

Understandably these desperate confounding situations are fair convictions to evoke curses on the year in question. But should that be the case for mankind? Or even so, a Muslim? Quite frankly, the answer is No! And here is what can tame our excitement if surely we believe in the Allah and his prophet.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُؤْذِينِي ابْنُ آدَمَ يَقُولُ يَا خَيْبَةَ الدَّهْرِ ‏.‏ فَلاَ يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ يَا خَيْبَةَ الدَّهْرِ ‏.‏ فَإِنِّي أَنَا الدَّهْرُ أُقَلِّبُ لَيْلَهُ وَنَهَارَهُ فَإِذَا شِئْتُ قَبَضْتُهُمَا ‏”‏ ‏.

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: The son of Adam causes Me pain as he says: Woe be upon the Time. None of you should say this: Woe be upon the Time, as I am the Time (because) I alternate the day and the night, and when I wish I can finish them up.

(Sahih Muslim, hadith 2246c)

It was also narrated;

عَنْ أَبِي، هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُؤْذِينِي ابْنُ آدَمَ يَسُبُّ الدَّهْرَ وَأَنَا الدَّهْرُ أُقَلِّبُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ‏”‏ ‏

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: The son of Adam displeases Me by abusing Dahr (time), whereas I am Dahr — I alternate the night and the day.

(Sahih Muslim, hadith 2246b)

Indeed, these are desperate times. We have lost loved ones and many who are alive have lost livelihoods, wealth, homes and things that we have striven hard for. For the believer, these are trying situations that call for a vast amount of patience. It is a test from Allah and surely, we would be rewarded if we truly stick to what is right and good. Just as Allah has succinctly informed us; “…….and We shall subject you to ill and good by way of trial, and to Us shall all of you be eventually sent back.”

We have brought these situations upon ourselves and it is upon us to save ourselves by turning away from our evil ways. Without that, it would just keep getting worse.

May Allah make us all steadfast on righteousness and forgive us all our shortcomings.