Every day I would receive a painful call from a member of my congregation asking me to pray for a relative who has just passed away or has caught the virus.

It is a harrowing and tearful experience for all of us. I immediately rehearse several verses from the Quran to provide support and solace to the victims and their families.

The first verses I would read are 2:155-157: "And surely, We will try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; and give glad tidings to those who persevere patiently. Who, when a calamity befalls them, say: 'Surely, we belong to God and to Him we shall surely return.' They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord and Mercy and they are the ones that receive guidance."

So we are all going to be tested and we must be patient and remember that our final return is to God. So no such questions like "Why me?" We must submit our will to the Will of God.

Let us all try to remain the "Friends of God", to enjoy His promise to us in 10:62-64: "Behold! Verily on the friends of God there is no fear, nor shall they grieve; those who believe and fear God. For them are Glad Tidings, in this life and in the Hereafter; no change can there be in the Words of God. This is indeed the supreme Felicity."

We must all repent and adjust our conduct and strive to remain on God's Straight Path to enjoy the regular visits made by God's angels as mentioned in 41:30-32: "Indeed, those who say: 'Our Lord is God', and afterwards are firm in piety, the Angels descend on them saying: 'Don't fear, nor grieve, and rejoice in the Paradise promised to you. We are your guardians in this life and in the Hereafter. There you will have all that your souls desire, and there you will have all that you call for.' A gracious welcome from the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful."

Finally let us all pray for God's Wrath to be relieved: "Our Lord! Remove the Penalty from us, for We do really believe!" 44:12