The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has started…in a world that is certainly very different than normal. Speaking of ‘normal’, I regularly see this quote being shared on various platforms:
“In the rush to return to normal, let’s use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to”.
The quote is by David Hollis, CEO of a company ‘that helps people build better lives’. Now that is a company aim that sounds apt for the occasion!
Normality can be different things to different people, and the above quote conjures up those aspects of life that can possibly be changed once we get through this pandemic. Just because something in your life has always been that way doesn’t mean it can’t be changed or improved, right?
Lockdown is certainly giving us all time to reflect on our lives and those around us, as well as how we spend our time. Not everyone can use this time to be super-productive and learn amazing new talents, some of us just need to get through it. And that’s perfectly fine. This time is unusual, and it’s scary, and it’s confusing.
It has been really frustrating seeing many in the public eye talking about this pandemic as ‘the great equaliser’. For some, quarantine is a moment of reflection and taking it easy. For others, it is a time of desperate financial and family crisis.
As BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis said in her widely-appreciated opening monologue earlier this month, “‘You do not survive the illness through fortitude and strength of character, whatever the Prime Minister’s colleagues will tell us. The disease is not a great leveller, the consequences of which everyone - rich or poor - suffers the same”.
I gifted all the children in our family Ramadan calendars a few days ago, spotting them during one of my shopping trips. I used to love Advent calendars when I was little, always wondering why there wasn’t one for Ramadan. The little child in me was very excited to spot them and I may have bought an extra one…
This year’s Ramadan will be memorable in many ways, not least due to mosques sadly being closed for congregational prayer. However, this change brings to mind the following Hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The entire earth has been made a place of prayer, except for graveyards and washrooms.” Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 317
Many Muslims enjoy participating in the special nightly prayer, Taraweeh, together with others in local mosques. This year we can establish that tradition at home with our families, and even use one of the many online video conferencing apps for group prayer.
For me, Ramadan will be special this year as I have the opportunity to spend it at home rather than juggling school runs and work. Fasting is tiring at the best of times, so I appreciate the chance to take it easier and work around a different routine, making the most of family time and prayer.
There are many traditions and cultural norms usually associated with Ramadan, especially collective family and community meals. It is useful to look at the Prophet’s time (PBUH). There were no community iftars or massive feasts; they would eat at home, and they didn’t have surplus food.
This is the perfect time to rediscover the spirit of Ramadan as it is meant to be. A time to appreciate the true blessings of Allah SWT.
I pray for you all to have a fulfilling, blessed and healthy Ramadan. May it be the best Ramadan for you and your loved ones, ameen.
