As I sit gazing out of my bedroom window into the park, I ponder how life has changed. Everything has stopped. The park is empty, and the roads are quiet.
In this moment of silence, I contemplate three weeks in lockdown. I have stopped dashing from work to pick the kids up from school, taking them to their extra-curricular activities after school, coming home to prepare meals for the family, organising the house, and doing the washing. The list goes on and on. I am sure all the mothers know what I am talking about!
My life has paused. I reflect on all the countless blessings. How guilty I am for being so complacent and taking life for granted, and for not being the best I can be in my life.
In this moment of silence, I reassess and re-evaluate. Instead of stockpiling toilet paper, pasta, rice, flour, and oil, I need to stock my sparse spiritual pantry.
On a serious note, I need to take stock of my relationship with the Divine and the Beloved. What have I prepared for my afterlife? What investments have I made for the ultimate reality?
I begin to realise by the Grace of God that we are in a very fortunate situation: We have a roof over our heads, hot meals, clean water, electricity, and gas, the list is endless. We sit in our homes, eating, watching, playing, and doing as we please. We have a sense of safety, security, and peace.
In this moment of silence, my thoughts immediately go to those in lockdown in Palestine, Kashmir, Syria, Yemen, Africa, and other places. My heart breaks, knowing that they cannot get necessities for their families. They cannot stockpile as we have. They do not know whence their next meal will come. There are so many here in the UK too who are worse off and struggling. My sense of responsibility deepens to be proactive and to play my part in making a difference.
I look up and gaze into the deep blue clear sky, and I say 'Shukr Alhamdulilah' (Praise be to Allah) from the bottom of my heart for all the blessings in my life. I feel humbled by God's blessings. The praise now moves beyond mere lip service to penetrate my heart–'Allahu Akbar' (God is the Greatest!)
I have found solace and comfort in the words of The Holy Quran during the days of isolation; in particular, the verse, ‘Those who have faith and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of God- truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace and rest’. (13:28)
This situation has helped me to reconnect and re-establish my relationship with God more deeply and profoundly. Every breath, every step, every word, and action is for God alone. I am aware that being patient with God's will is an act of worship, which is truly rewarding.
We need to be patient and not complain. It is time to accept God's will and plan.
In this moment of silence, I promise to be the best I can be in the eyes of God.
Let us now find strength and hope in God's words,
Let us now find forgiveness and love in God's words.
Let us now find patience and success in God's words.
Let us now find peace and trust in God's words.
In this moment of silence, I gaze out of the window and hear the birds singing. I say 'Alhamdulilah' from the bottom of my heart. I whisper a quiet prayer: 'Please God help me to be stronger inwardly and outwardly, so I am amongst those who you are pleased with’.
