Ramadan is a sacred month for the Muslim community. It’s a month of fasting, prayers, charity and community care. A month meant for inner reflection and connection with God. While the pandemic has altered how people observe Ramadan, it can’t take away the significance of the holy month. We are now in the midst of the second Ramadan since the pandemic started and hopefully the final we experience, In Sha Allah. It can be all too easy to dwell on a life dictated by the coronavirus. So rather than focusing on the negatives of isolation and the limitations it imposes over Ramadan, let us try to cultivate an optimistic mindset, as it is a strong pillar of resilience and therefore very important during moments of hardship.
A common thing that both Ramadan and the pandemic have taught us is how to follow restrictions cheerfully. This enforced solitude offers an opportunity for even more introspection than usual. Just as this pandemic demands certain restrictions, so does Ramadan. Try to note them down for yourself and follow those. Remind yourself that this pandemic is transient and will pass, as everything else eventually passes. But ask yourself, what you want to learn from this Ramadan and how you hope to implement that.
This Ramadan is so different, unique, and amazing; this Ramadan is a chance in a lifetime. We never dreamt in our lives that we would have a Ramadan like this. We are going to make the most of this beautiful month of Ramadan. There is no way that we would ever waste our days in the month of Ramadan. There may be restrictions to pray in the masjid, but there is no restriction to pray. We can still have congregational prayers in our homes with the members of our respective families. There is no restriction to the Qur’ān and its recitation and reflection thereupon; there is no restriction at all to the ibadah (worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala). We have never dreamt of such a Ramadan and the unique opportunities that have come with it. For the first time, we are engaging in acts of worship from our homes in such abundance.
This Ramadan Allah has shown us his favour from a different angle. If we had this pandemic 200 or 100 years ago, we would have felt so cut off from all the technology has given us. But right now at least we can keep in touch with people even if it is virtual. We must appreciate the favours of Allah, and appreciate each other. We can reach out to the poor from the comfort of our homes by donating online. We must not forget the people in need, and try to do whatever we can. Don’t turn a blind eye to those in need. Help others while observing all precautions. We must remember the poor who break their fast at the masjid. Some need help in the form of medical aid, emotional support, or anything else, try to do whatever you can.
The iftars will be slightly different but unique; where we will be breaking our fasts with our immediate family if not our extended family and friends. We have a chance to be good to our loved ones. Be kind to your loved ones, smile to your spouse, your parents, and your siblings, whoever you are living with. Make a phone call to those you care about, tell them how much you love them, how much you are praying for them, how much you miss them, and how In Sha Allah when the situation improves, we will reunite by the Will of Allah.
Masjid for Muslims is very important. And we see an increased connection with it in Ramadan. But with all the restrictions and masjids being closed in many areas we shall dearly miss the congregational prayers in our Masajid this Ramadan. But then maybe earlier there was one congregation in an area but now Allah wants you to have thousands of congregations. Maybe He wants congregation in every Muslim home. We now have to make the most of our houses. We have to make sure the ibadah increases as we are in our home more than ever. The places of sujood belong to Allah which translate to the houses of sujood i.e. masjid belongs to Allah, but it applies even here i.e. your home which is now the place of sujood belongs to Allah. So try to have designated areas for worship in your homes.
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’ān – “I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56) This means that we need to worship Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and worship means we do that which pleases Allah and abstain from whatever displeases Allah, through our 24 hours every single day. When we make peace with the Owner of protection, He will protect us, when we make peace with the Owner of sustenance He will sustain us, when we make peace with the Owner of forgiveness he will forgive us In Sha Allah. Our connection with Allah needs to be looked into; we have to improve our relationship with Allah. And obviously, if I am seeking the forgiveness of Allah, I need to quit and abandon sins. May we turn to Allah before we return to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. We don’t know when we are going to return to Allah but right now we know we can turn to Allah so that when we do return to Allah in a state we had turned to Him.
Let’s not waste our time in this month of Ramadan which is an amazing gift of Allah and definitely will be questioned by Allah, how we used this gift. Don’t think it’s all negative. Negativity is a small fraction but positivity is the overwhelming portion. May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala bless every one of us. I pray that this Ramadan will be the best. I hope that every one of us is planning goodness more than we have ever planned, and then work on it for the sake of Allah. We need to take advantage of our circumstances and situation of isolation. Let’s reflect on our character and observe how we speak and how we act and let us observe our collective behaviour as an ummah.
It’s the month of mercy, the month of forgiveness, the month of freedom from the fire. And we will never waste such a blessed month. Ramadan is still the most blessed month of the year. Laylatul Qadr will still be the most powerful night throughout the year. It will be there. It is in Ramadan, it is a gift of Allah. May Allah make us from among those who can witness such a blessed occasion. May Allah grant all of us forgiveness and grant us entry into Paradise. Ultimately, this is what we all strive for.
[The writer is Organiser Women’s Wing, JIH Jhotwara, Jaipur, Rajasthan]