The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, clarified that calamities expiate sins

` “The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘There is no calamity that befalls a Muslim except that through it, Allah expiates some of that person’s sins, even if one is pricked by a thorn.’”

“The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, visited me while I was sick, and said: ‘Receive glad tidings, O Umm `Alaa, because through the sickness of a Muslim, Allah does away with their sins, just as fire does away with the impurities of gold and silver.