Cementing our purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic: it cannot take our faith away - bY hafsa waseela abbas (Braille script provided)

Welcome back to the 7th Season of Magnetic Love with Ramadan!

This year we aim to share some reminders on trials and health tips, and introduce the #FarahRamadanAtHome on social media due to start in Ramadan to keep the engagement up during Ramadan if Allah wills.

It has been a few months since SARS-CoV-2 otherwise known as COVID-19 have risen. Many countries are affected around the world. Thousands of people are hospitalized with symptoms where some have recovered but many have passed away without saying goodbye to their loved ones. This has been occurring daily and the death rates are increasing. Amidst the crisis, millions of people are working from home and children are studying from home adhering governmental guidelines on how we can protect ourselves. Among the practices include social distancing, hand-washing and other procedures.  

So the question here is, as Ramadan is in a few weeks, how can we prepare ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally? 
 
The global pandemic has influenced religious practices such as congregational prayers and burials in all religions. In a few weeks time, the holy month of Ramadan begins if Allah wills. This month is a special month for all Muslims across planet Earth where we perform extended prayers (Taraweeh), perform good deeds, abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset, the overflowing of mosques and reflecting on the less fortunate. 

I am always excited for Ramadan and amidst the crisis, I am even more excited and determined for its arrival. This is the attitude we should all adhere, not let limitations and trials from stopping us performing good but at the same time taking care of our health and help where we can.  

According to Al-Azhar Fatwa Global Center, If you have symptoms of coronavirus and have been diagnosed, it is best not to fast. Please use your initiative and make informed decisions.

Our Taraweeh prayers have been suspended as advised by the Muslim Council of Britain and British Board of Scholars and Imams due to our safety but we can still pray at home. May Allah accept.

I would like to provide a few reminders for myself and foremost and to you to maintain a positive mindset and approach to this trial. Prophet Ayub otherwise known as Job (peace be upon him) was the descendant of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). He was a messenger whose aim was to invite good and prevent evil. He had a firm belief in Allah (The Most High) and was blessed in many ways but he kept praising Allah (The Most High) consistently. 

The core lesson that we can learn from this parable in which we can implement during this crisis is his patience and humility when facing trials. He never complained about his issues. He suffered a theft of his animals, the murder of his servants and all of his children passed away when a roof fell. He remained patient until one day he suffered from an unknown skin disease where he experienced many sores and ulcers. 

Many of his friends ridiculed and deserted him. He suffered from this skin condition for 18 years and his faithful wife stood by him. She descended from the children of Jacob (peace be upon him). One day she could not find any food to provide for her husband and she cut her hair to buy food. When he asked where did she get the money from, she informed him of cutting her hair. Upon hearing this, he was saddened and performed a supplication (dua): 

And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful." 

                                                                                                               (Quran, Surat Al-Anbiya [21:83]) 
 
Allah (The Most High) responded with mercy:

"So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as a mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah"  

                                                                                                                   (Quran, Surat Al-Anbiya [21:83]) 
 
He was ordered to hit the floor with his foot, and water gushed onto him where he had a bath with with it and was cured. After this, he prayed to Allah with gratitude, mercy and love. 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, we should remain patient under all circumstances. Every prophet has endured many trials and He tests us with hardship to illustrate the sincerity of our faith. It is an expiation of our sins and provides us with an opportunity to perform good deeds. 
 
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him, we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.

                                                                                              (Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah [2:155-157]) 

Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 

“No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allaah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.”
                                                                                                             (Hadith, Al-Bukhari, 5641) 
 
So how can we practically cement our Ramadan?

#Tip 1
Be active and focus on what you can control, avoid what you cannot control.
 
When you turn the key in your car, the car won’t move unless you press on the pedal and act. 

“So when you have finished your duties, then stand up for worship and turn your hopes to Him.”

                                                                                  (Qur’an: Surah Al-Sharh [94, Verses 7-8]) 
 
We often ask when does the lock-down end?

What is going to happen?

Many endless questions that often lead to anxiety and lost. We need to maintain our emotional and physical health by looking after our heart and recalling that Allah is our aid. We can listen to Quran, increase remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) because when our heart is content, our body is filled with hope. 
Allah responded to Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) dua, Allah can also respond to us too and promised us. 

“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”

                                                                                        (Qur’an: Surah Baqarah, [2:186]) 

What does this mean? 

It means He hears, He knows, He sees and He understands. 
 
We need to cement our long-term goal and remind ourselves of our purpose.  

“And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play. We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them know not.”

                                                                                                               (Qur’an: Al-Dukhan: [44: 38-39]) 
 
Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
 
“On the Day of Resurrection the disbeliever who lived the most luxurious will be brought, and it will be said: ‘Dip him once in Hell.’ So he will be dipped in it, then it will be said to him: ‘O so-and-so, have you ever enjoyed any pleasure?’ He will say: ‘No, I have never enjoyed any pleasure.’ Then the believer who suffered the most hardship and trouble will be brought and it will be said: ‘Dip him once in Paradise.’ So he will be dipped in it and it will be said to him: ‘O so-and-so, have you ever suffered any hardship or trouble?’ He will say: ‘I have never suffered any hardship or trouble.’”

                                                                                                                                   [Sunan Al-Majah] 
#Tip 2

Take care of those around us at home and those that live away. Stay connected via different networks.

#Tip 3

Other advice is to maintain our physical health by having a well-balanced diet, gentle home exercises and a good sleeping pattern and Sunnah naps. 

#Tip 4

Control the amount of time you spend on the social and news media. Allocate time to listen/watch/read the updates.
Please ensure you receive this from authentic sources such as gov.uk, NHS, CDC, Public Health England and World Health organisation. 

 
Ultimately, I would like to say that we need to make a positive difference and think about ourselves and others. Our physical and emotional health is important. 

My next article will be released next week if Allah wills on the 18th of April, where I will discuss some natural food one can consume besides your normal prescription by your G.P.
 
References 

Hafiz Ibn Kathir (2003) Stories of the Prophet Houston: Dar-us-Salam Publications