The word (adversity) refers to something which afflicts a living being and diverges him from the stability of his life. It may affect his health, wealth, provisions, condition, service or other than these. These painful situations are in fact reminders of blessings, for the human being who falls sick will be reminded of the blessing of health which he was unmindful and ungrateful of, as the Prophet (saws) said:

“There are two blessings in which many people incur loss: Health and free time.”

Afflictions and pain are reminders of blessings. As such, during times of distress, a human being will constantly say, “O My Lord”, and seek shelter in Allah (swt). He is aware that the doctor cannot cure him, as Allah (swt) says:

 وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

(And He (alone) heals me when I am sick) (Ash-Shu’ara: 80)

However, a human being is enjoined to find cure and go to a doctor, while keeping in mind that the one who cures is not the doctor but Allah (swt). Many doctors have believed in Allah, due to what they witness of the miracles in the creation and the realization that cure is not in their hands. The most they can do is to diagnose the illness and issue medicine. Other than that, they must leave the matter to Allah (swt), as a poet said:

Verily, the doctor has knowledge which he utilizes

If a person still possesses days which can be prolonged

Till the time when the days of his journey are up

The doctor will be confused, and the medication will deceive him.

 

     This is true for all of mankind.

(  وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍ … ) (…And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good): Is the ending of the verse: (none can give it except him)? The answer is no.

This demonstrates the precision of the Holy Quran. According to the human mind, the verse should be ended with: (And if He touches you with good, none can give it except him). But it ends with:

(  فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ… ) (…then He is over all things competent): This is because, He does not only provide this blessing but more than it many times over. Thus, the verse ends in this way.