Ramadan During The Lockdown

We all know that this Ramadan will be different from the previous Ramadans, as some of us are in lockdown and some of us are working in the frontline. This year, there are not going to be big Iftar gatherings and  Taraweeh prayers in mosques. It might be very strange for those who usually spend this blessed month in mosques and surrounded by many people. Many of us will spend Ramadan at home, alone or with our families, others will be working in hospitals, supermarkets, house cares and in every place where they are needed. We are all going to live Ramadan differently this year. Some of us might be sad, thinking that many opportunities of performing ibadah will be missed as we will either be at home or working outside; however let be positive and see our situation as a blessing. 

A blessing, why then you might think?

Well, we are always busy spending most of our days living and thinking in speed, that we forget to stop and ponder over ourselves, particularly over our imaan, deeds, our relationship with Allah and over our spiritual journey. Therefore experiencing Ramadan at home this year is going to be a blessing: although some of us will be working from home, we will not be running to go for work, and we can use the time we have to reflect and understand better our imaan and our relationship with Allah (i.e Are we following the right path? Have we sincerely repented and asked for forgiveness to Allah? Are our deeds sincere? Are we doing enough? If we would die, are we ready to meet Allah?). 

We can use the situation we are in our favor and try to become better Muslims.We should not despair and we should use the opportunity given by Allah to strengthen our knowledge in deen and imaan and inshAllah we will all get out of it better and stronger. Remember that Allah is everywhere and He is always with us.

The key workers should not despair as well if they think that they will have less time for ibadah. They are doing an important job, helping people and taking care of them and inshAllah they will be rewarded for that.

To conclude we should keep positive, optimistic, have faith and remember that “Verily, with every difficulty there is relief” [94:6] and that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If the Resurrection were established upon one of you while he has in his hand a sapling, then let him plant it.”

Written by Zaineb Tassa