Under nationwide lockdown, young children stepped into the blessed month of Ramadhan with news of COVID-19 outbreaks, and the doors leading to outside world of fun and enjoyment being shut on them. As grown up adults, we patiently get into the essence with some set goals, and plan overwhelmingly accepting the decree of Allah. But what about kids? Are they really prepared to enter into an unchartered territory this Ramadhan? Though the spirit of Ramadhan has engulfed kids more, they are navigating a newer, or rather unfamiliar, terrain this year with mixed feelings!
Wartha Moin, who studies in class 4 believes this Ramadhan is much calmer, and portrays the real spirit of this month. It becomes even more fun when kids are brutally honest, and share their stories without any inhibition! “You might be feeling it’s a strange Ramadhan as your dad isn’t going to office, you are not going to school. You can’t get chicken because mom is saving it for some reason! The thing is this Ramadhan has little secrets, secrets that can’t be written in one sentence; so, telling a few secrets would do us good like some children who I thought would never fast have fasted this Ramadhan.
“This Ramadhan you are much calmer. I hate shopping, and find it boring too. After coming back home we are badly tired and Amma’s flip-flop decisions, and regretting moan keep me engaged for late,” she cutely articulates her mind.
She also shares her plan and what keeps her occupied. “We have lots of things to do. I have started to watch an Islamic series. Lockdown is a big boon for religion but a bane for the world. Now when we are together as a family, we are able to plan well for Ramadhan. We are learning Arabic and meaning of the surahs. Fasting sometimes becomes tiring, although we do lots of good deeds, a spark of excitement is needed to keep you away from thirst and hunger, to make you forget you are fasting. But it’s fun when we write duas and decorate the sheet and put it on the wall,” she tells.
On similar tones, Hanzala, who studies in Jamia Sanabil, finds it a blessing for himself, “This Ramadhan is a blessing in disguise from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. We have to live in our homes 24/7, without going out for any work, not even school. I am getting plenty of time to offer prayers and read Qur’an more.”
But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Hanzala, without any mention of coronavirus, is happily enjoying his leisure time at home. “I am having a fascinating experience this Ramadhan, as I play Islamic quiz with family post Taraweeh! One thing I want to say very proudly is that in previous Ramadhan I could only hear the Qur’an in Taraweeh, but this Ramadhan I am reciting it during Taraweeh because I am doing Hifz also. This Ramadhan I am helping my mother in kitchen work; I am also trying my hands on gardening by sowing fruit seeds in my balcony,” he raves excitedly.
Md. Izaanul Haque, a student of class 7 in Ishaan International Public School, gladly shares his special in-house Ramadhan experience. “This Ramadhan brings a special experience for me because during this lockdown I can focus more on my prayers and studies. In previous Ramadhans, owing to my school schedule, my mummy didn’t allow me to fast more than a few counts. Some days, I often had to skip my Zuhr prayer as I reach home late when it was time for Asr salah,” he recalls how fasting was tough last year. “But this year I am home and have much more time to give to my prayers, sit with my parents, play with my younger brother and sisters and above all I am also fasting this year,” he says.
“My Ramadhan is better than last year, as I am able to worship Allah more. But due to Covid-19 I am unable to have cold drinks which is my favourite beverage, and I miss it a lot! I am unable to have those yummy mom-made shakes. But I am enjoying my family time with no homework days!” avers 9-year-old Khadija Fatma.
Mirsab Ali Haidar views it as a golden opportunity. “We have a golden opportunity to pray and worship Allah deeply. We have no worry! Due to closing of schools, we can fast more. And mummy can cook delicious iftar for us! We are spending more time as a family, playing games, and having lots of fun.”
However, not all the children are happy with lockdown, some are badly missing Taraweeh and congregational prayer, and different activities they could do before. “This Ramadhan is a little good and bad as I don’t get to go out; I have to stay locked in this house. I miss cycling. My Abi and Mamma are busy in their laptops. But I get to play a lot. Last Ramadhan I kept two fasts, the first and second fast of my life. And this year I have kept my third fast. I miss going for iftar. Not being able to go to school is the ‘baddest part’. My Abi is home and that’s a good part, and my Mamma is also cooking newer dishes for me like chicken popcorn and kebab biryani,” little Mohammad Isa, Grade 3, Ukti Waldorf School, shares his bittersweet experience!
“This Ramadhan is not very good in lockdown. Last year, we used to go to masjid for prayers, and Taraweeh but this Ramadhan, we are not able to go. Last Ramadhan, we went for Umrah. During previous Ramadhans, we had even gone to swimming pools and had loads of fun there. But this year, we pray salahs in our house,” 7-year-old Ali Rabee recollects his previous Ramadhan memories.
Raed Arafat, who just passed his 4th standard exams, echoes similar sentiments: “This Ramadhan in lockdown is worse. This Ramadhan is very different from previous ones. In previous Ramadhans we used to go for Qiyam al Layl but this year all the prayers are being offered at home, but I have the chance to do the imamat (leading prayer) of Taraweeh as it’s a nafil prayer. And this is the best part about this Ramadhan.”
Young Mohammad Ammaar, a student of class 1 in Cambridge School, hates his limited movement and freedom, and is honest about his feelings, “I am not happy. We are having iftar alone. No one is coming to our home, nor are we going to our friends’ place for iftar party. What kind of Ramadhan is this? My papa is home, but he works all day and doesn’t have time to play with me. I miss my school and friends. I pray this corona vanishes soon, and my younger brother grows up fast to play with me.”
No doubt kids are missing Taraweeh and other outdoor activities, nevertheless they are having a gala time at home with delicious iftar, extended playtime with no-school kind of routine to bother them. They are relaxed, and spending quality time offering prayers and learning stuffs.