FOR us as Muslims, Ramadhan this year will be different and gloomy. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, our country is going through an enhanced community quarantine and lockdown. Any form of social gatherings outside of your immediate household now poses a public health risk. The duration of this situation is still uncertain, and we may need to prepare for the days ahead.
During the month of Ramadhan, every Muslim feels close to God when going to mosques, praying the obligatory prayers, and being one with our community. But this time, it will be different. We must be prepared to observe, to adjust, and remain steadfast in this coming Ramadhan.
To contain the spread of the virus, our government prevents us from praying at mosques. Congregation prayers, like Friday jumaah and taraweeh, are not allowed. Taraweeh prayer is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during the month of Ramadhan. It is a common practice in our country that this prayer is performed in the mosque.
As mosques would be kept closed, we will not be able to observe i'tikaf. I'tikaf or spiritual retreat is one of the greatest traditions of Islam. This is a tradition which has been in Islam from the first days of the revelation and is also practices in other religions and faiths.
According to one Muslim scholar, "The great Masajid of Islam located in cities such as Makkah, Madinah, Najaf, Qum, Isfahan, Mashad and other major Muslim cities have hosted this spiritual retreat for over 1,400 years primarily in the "White Nights" of (the month of) Rajab -- the 13th, 14th and 15th, and more specifically in the month of Ramadhan -- that too primarily in the last 10 nights of the blessed month."
Celebrating iftar (break of a fast) will no longer be a social gathering for families, relatives, and friends. Iftar is the evening meal with which we end our daily fasting that started before the break of dawn till sunset.
The celebration of the Eid al-Fitr will no longer be as festive as the previous years. Eid al-Fitr is one of the important "eid" or Islamic holidays. It is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal that marks the end of Ramadhan. We attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during this time.
This year's Ramadhan may be different. But all followers of Abrahamic faiths -- the Jews, Christians, and Muslims have to adjust and follow strict social distancing. All these religions have entered one of the holiest times of the year, with the Holy Week (Easter), Ramadhan and Passover all celebrated this month.
Most of what we do is based on our community. At the heart of Ramadhan, however, we are asked to follow in the footsteps of those who have less resources than we do. More than just feeling hunger, we are also now having to go without certain activities like work and leisure time. This is all for the greater good, but we cannot deny that it is difficult for everybody involved.
We must be prepared for the challenges ahead. Our only option is to pray inside our houses and ask Allah for His forgiveness... let this be a challenge for us to remain steadfast in our faith, and to be grateful for the blessings that remain with us.