Do not worry

Written by: Nadrah

There is a Malay folklore where it is believed that when small children get sick, they are getting ready for their next developmental milestone. I am not certain whether to believe this or not as there are many things that come in mind in terms of validity and reliability – what makes of it?

There have been recent outbreaks of various contagious diseases here, like Influenza A/B, Hand Foot Mouth Disease, Rota Virus; just to name a few that are exceptionally contagious among young children. My family and myself were not an exception, alhamdulillah. We spent several nights in the hospital due to these viral diseases, and a few more days at home being quarantined. In a span of two weeks, we had to nurse a lung infection, Influenza B, viral fever, and hand foot mouth disease.

At the playschool I work at, these viruses were widespread too. It started with lice which it is said to be common among young children and then immediately after we had a case of Influenza B. And just as we thought the commotion subsided, we then had Rota Virus cases that were very bad and have affected many children. By the third case, it was hard for me not to be affected emotionally and physically. Days go by, and we were still not in our normal routine. What a way to welcome January!

As a teenager, I remember having bad days to which I always flirt with the thought: how nice would it be to be given an opportunity to restart our lives? Like a computer where you can just press the reset button, and you kind of get a clean slate to start with.

In truth, not many of us are given chances to restart again. It is not as easy as it seems. Not all of us are able to pack up and leave to a novel town and set on a new adventure.

But then I remembered how small kids grow after a hurdle, my youngest son became extra chatty than the usual after his recent viral fever. If sickness purifies a child and prepares them for the next milestone, ma shaa Allah can you imagine what it does for us adults?

Perhaps this is why when we go visit the sick, it is sunnah to say:

لاَ بَأْسَ طَهُوْرٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ (La Bahsa, Thohoruun in shaa Allah)

Do not worry, purification, by Allah’s Will. (Bukhari Book 7, Hadith 14)

Maybe through these tiny tests of any types of sickness – in itself, are Allah’s gifts for us. And His way of preparing us up for something more. We might not see this purification processes with our naked eyes, but I do believe by heart that it helps us grow. Think of a time when you were tested with an illness or a trial.

How will this change and make you?

Whether you are tested in terms of health, a tough spouse, the long hours of meeting the demands of your children or bosses, that one exam paper you’re so afraid of, or a slow-growing business.

For all of you who are going through tests of any kind,

  لاَ بَأْسَ طَهُوْرٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ (Do not worry, purification, by Allah’s Will.).

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, 5642)

Allahu’alam, barakaAllahu feekum.