“…Had We willed, We could have fixed them in their places, making them powerless to go forward or backward.” [Qur’an, 36: 67]
This year the pandemic circumstances surrounding Ramadan have been very difficult and emotionally draining. Ramadan is almost over, leaving behind lasting memories of something so special celebrated in vacuum. There were no Friday congregational prayers, or salatul taraweeh, community iftar, or joining families and friends at iftar functions. Normally, every week would usually have several iftar get-togethers, sharing of the day’s sacrifice of the fast, and remembrance of Allah swt in group settings. But this year it is so lonely, quiet, and confined to home. Now the final days of the month are flying by. Usually the most active and celebratory days, going long into the night. Not much sleep, be lucky to get a few hours per night. Now we get full night filled with dreams of what used to be.
Ramadan is about patience, generosity, neighborliness, friendship, charity, sacrifice, and the like to reconnect with the Creator. It is time for reflections, increased devotion, and moral excellence. Maybe this year, sacrifice in all its aspects is the main focus – a blessing masked in Covid-19. More time to reflect about all the wonderful gifts of life taken for granted we now find taken away from us. To reflect about those who live in isolation all the time; to reflect about the truly persecuted who cannot travel freely even in good times; to reflect about the sick who fear constantly about declining health and death; and to reflect about the poor who struggle day to day and are constantly insecure about daily needs and how to survive another day.
Maybe this Ramadan will be a wakeup call. Absence makes the heart fonder. If we respond to the call heedfully, then the takeaways of this Ramadan may outnumber the rewards of the years past. Maybe this Ramadan will foster more appreciation for humanity and friendship. Maybe this Ramadan will bring more respect to the value of a clean climate and nature and personal hygiene. Maybe this Ramadan will intensify our motivation for a meticulous wudu followed by standing in the presence of Allah swt with humility. Maybe this Ramadan will elevate spiritual value over material obsession that had possessed so many. Maybe later having lunch with a friend will have more meaning than just catching up by text message. Maybe a handshake will feel more genuine and touching than waving hand in the air from distance. Maybe this Ramadan will actually create a better world for tomorrow. Maybe this Ramadan will teach us to reach out to those we had neglected for so long.
If we ignore the warning, however, and refuse to redirect ourselves defeating the purpose of Ramadan, it would be a gross ignorance or blatant defiance to Allah swt: “Say…My Lord would not care for you were it not for your prayer…But now that you have denied, an inextricable punishment shall soon come upon you.” [Q, 25: 77] Allah’s forces are invisible and they work strangely under the Supreme Command. During the current pandemic, we are experiencing some glimpses how paralyzing they can be: “…None knows the armies of your Lord except Him…” [Q, 74: 31] If we continue on the same path despite all the warnings and build our life as usual on subtle denial of any sense of accountability of our personal behavior, then we will find no defense against the consequences of our unforgiving callousness: “Who is there to become a force for you to help you…? The disbelievers are in nothing but delusion.” [Q, 67: 20] The fasting is meant to redirect the heart away from unlawful aspirations, cleanse the soul from harmful impurities, teach self-discipline, and reach out to others.
Islamic Point of View 