DOES THE QUR’AN SAY ANYTHING ABOUT VIRUSES OR PANDEMICS?

I was asked, by a non-Muslim, “does the Qur’an make mention about viruses and/or pandemics? If so, how are we to deal with such a situation?”

No. The Qur’an does not directly speak on the subject. However, there are inferences.

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.”
(Ash-Shura 42:30)

“Evil (i.e. sins and disobedience to Allah etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting and begging His Pardon).”
(Ar-Rum 30:41)

“And verily, We will make them taste the near torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this world, i.e. disasters, calamities, etc.) prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that they may (repent and) return.”
(As-Sajdah 32:21)

With this shared, viruses and bacteria, which cause widespread illness and death in the past, such as plague or current coronavirus, can be viewed as a form of divine punishment. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods, droughts, storms etc. are understood to be His decrees of punishments as well.

In hadith, however, there are direct indications of spreading plagues and unknown diseases. One such Hadith was narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (RA). He said:

“The Messenger of Allah (saw) turned to us and said: ‘O Muhajirun, there are five things with which you will be tested, and I seek refuge with Allah lest you live to see them: Immorality never appears among a people to such an extent that they commit it openly, but plagues and diseases that were never known among the predecessors will spread among them. They do not cheat in weights and measures but they will be stricken with famine, severe calamity and the oppression of their rulers. They do not withhold the Zakah of their wealth, but rain will be withheld from the sky, and were it not for the animals, no rain would fall on them. They do not break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger, but Allah will enable their enemies to overpower them and take some of what is in their hands. Unless their leaders rule according to the Book of Allah and seek all good from that which Allah has revealed, Allah will cause them to fight one another.’”

SUNAN IBN MAJAH – Hadith No.4019