You are stuck at home with no friends and no Muslim community around you. The Masajid are all closed which means no taraweeh and probably no Eid prayer as well. Oh, and don’t forget that if you do step out of the house for whatever reason, there is a certain uneasiness and anxiousness in the air about potentially getting sick. Moreover, as we are in the midst of Ramadan, we are expected to fast while being stuck at home. There goes your greatest source of comfort: food. It is safe to say, COVID-19 has ruined 2020 and now…it has ruined Ramadan too.
It is very easy to take on this perspective and just accept this state of hopelessness. However, it is important that we remind ourselves that nothing happens without the permission of Allah (SWT). In fact, Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qu’ran,
Say, ‘Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon Allah let the believers rely.” [Tawbah: 51]
So we should remember that we do not, and we may never understand the wisdom behind this pandemic occurring. Only Allah (SWT) truly knows. Our job is not to ponder on the “why.” Rather, our job as Muslims should be ensuring that we are not wasting our time at home, especially during Ramadan. Think of this Ramadan as a gift and blessed opportunity.
Have you been making the most of this Ramadan? Have you truly been treating this Ramadan as a gift?
We are already about halfway through the month. Yes, time has passed that you may have not spent in the best way. However, there is still time left for you to take control and turn back to Allah (SWT). Remember why we fast.
We have been told in the Qu’ran,
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” [2:183]
Ramadan is the time for us to grow closer to Allah (SWT) and it is the time for us to increase in our deeds so that we can become better Muslims upon leaving this month. Although we cannot do our usual Ramadan routine that we are used to due to the pandemic, there is still a lot that we can do and benefit from. We can spend more time with our family, spend more time in sujood, watch online lectures/halaqat and of course, improve our relationship with the Qu’ran. As we know, the Qu’ran was revealed in Ramadan and with us having some additional time, this is a beautiful opportunity to read, recite and reflect on the Qu’ran as we are told to do so.
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” [Saad 38:29]
Furthermore, we should be doing all that we can with the sincere intention to please Allah (SWT) and grow closer to Him so that we can attain taqwa. Everyone has their own ways of staying productive and we should be utilizing our best techniques this Ramadan to stay busy. Turn to Allah (SWT) and do no give up as Ramadan is not over yet. Today is a good day as any to make the best of your time this Ramadan.
Do not let this pandemic decide how it will affect you. You decide how this pandemic will affect you. Change your habits, remember Allah (SWT), make sincere du’a and make this your best Ramadan yet.
