REFLECTING on the teachings of Ramadhan 2020, there are so many good things worth thanking and praising the Almighty for. However, as a woman, a mother and our home's frontliner, I have the feeling of a real mujahidat in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic as I observe this fasting month of Ramadhan.
One of the greatest reasons why many Muslims around the globe wait for this holy month is the magical metamorphosis that one will become in the process of the sacrifice. This is the month of chance. A chance to change the self and how people see us. Self-discipline for one is indeed the lesson of this holy month.
As a Muslimah, a woman who has duties to perform for the sake of Allah, I have to be a mother, wife and daughter all in one body. Ramadhan has taught me not just the abstinence from the temptations of food and water but more so with the temptations of worldly wants.
Having this Ramadhan amid Covid-19 pandemic is something more rewarding, I assume. Despite the inability of the Muslims to use their masajids (mosques) due to the pandemic, belief in God did not go down the drain. It has even surmounted unexpected faith. For me, in this month, I have fought my own Jihad. This is real metamorphosis on my part.
Jihadun nafs, otherwise known as fight against human desire, in this pandemic taught me to war against my wants to go out and see the world, gather with friends, spend more time at work than home, and spend more time on social media. I have had my share of doing more and serving more people at work and in my community for the past three decades of my life. I am a workaholic, as they say. I have loved all those activities I initiated and helped doing because they are all my passion in life, no doubt.
But, this pandemic made me see more of my real self. I have seen how my excess energy can be used for more valuable activities for my family and self.
I served my family and community, all from and in my home. I finally realized that I am a better cook and better family manager at the same time a relevant community servant as I share Covid-19 updates for my people. Indeed, staying home, managing it as well is something I am so proud doing. I cannot wait to share this to my students.
This Ramadhan amid Covid-19 taught me more about myself and more about my family. I have appreciated the fact that my family is with me 24/7 and that we eat and pray together regularly than on normal days. We have spent our daily prayers together during this month. Indeed this quarantine served us well.
While this pandemic is rising its numbers of infected individuals each day, I cannot help but appreciate the wisdom behind it. Ramadhan is about to end yet Covid has not ended. Some may be sad and frustrated but I should say that Allah has wisdom behind this pandemic. He definitely has reasons.
I believe so because as a Mujahidat, I should see things around me as Allah's will. I believe that Allah is very merciful that He will not give us what we cannot contain. Because He is our savior, He has seen the need for us to reboot and reset the defaults of our lives and see what's really significant and why the world should revolve around us and our environment. It is not power nor wealth but more of love and compassion towards the people near our hearts -- our family.
Again, this is my Jihad in this recent war against Covid-19. I am a freedom warrior who believes in the mercy and beneficence of the Almighty. This too shall pass and a brighter new normal is ahead of everyone. May our prayers on Eid'l Fitr 2020 be granted upon us.