This Ramadan has been unique in so many ways, but one thing stands out for me. The number of blogs, articles, recitations, the written words, the spoken words that have made us laugh, reduced us to tears and above all inspired us, strengthened our Imaan and bought us closer to Allah swt, our Creator, our Protector.
These reminders have been given by ordinary individuals coming to terms with extraordinary situations. People who perhaps have had a chance to slow down in the lockdown and reflect on life and what is actually important to us.
Human beings brought face to face with our own mortality, as we have buried so many of our loved ones. On the one hand we have been forced to acknowledge and accept that we're not in charge, there's so much out of our control, on the other is the thought that ultimately we have failed in our role of Khalifatul Ard: trustees, guardians of this planet we call home. Hasn't it been too easy to get caught up in our own lives? Making ends meet? Struggling to survive?
I know it's not easy but there is a saying along the lines of “There's no one more enslaved then the one who thinks she/he is free”. If the lockdown teaches us anything it is the fact that we're not free. Not free to do what's important, whether that's looking after your home, your parents, your children, - or yourself. To nurture, grow and become better people. We've just become cogs in a big machine which is not working for our benefit or the benefit of the planet. The question is that when we are on the other side of this pandemic, when it's under control (because I don't think it's just going to disappear), are we going to go back to being the same as before? Or maybe we should ask; can we afford to go back to being the same as before?
If not changing is not an option, then what will change look like? What can we do as individuals that will make a difference? So that the planet can heal and we can heal?
Haven't we allowed our leaders, politicians, to mislead us, misinform us and take advantage of the misplaced trust we have in them, to have integrity and honesty, and work for the betterment of all of us? If so, what can we do so that when we are called to account, we can at least say I did my bit against injustice and oppression?
I guess there are no easy answers, but perhaps we can all become more aware and start searching for a different way of being, individually and collectively.
