How to Spend Ramadan in Lockdown and What’s Special About this Ramadan?

Ramadan is one of the holiest months for Muslims which involve community gatherings, charity work and congregational prayers along with fasting. But this Ramadan 2020 is different than what we have been celebrating in the past.

Back in times, who would have thought about a time when people will be confined to homes because of an unseen virus? But unfortunately, that time is here now in Ramadan. Muslims from all over the world will be fasting in this holy month while strictly adhering to the lockdown policies. 

But the positive side is that we’ll be at homes which means we will get more time to pray and grow our bond with the Almighty.

This time is the tough time as we will get no chance to celebrate meals with our friends and relatives but isolation is the only need of the time and we all should strictly practice it. However, the terms isolation and quarantine is not new for Muslims. Our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) used to practice isolation in Ghar e Hira when he saw the people living in the darkness of ignorance. He wanted a place where he can distance himself from the world and wired himself to nature and Allah.

The isolation is also one of the best methods of ‘Sufis’ to connect to God. The father of the early modern medicine, thinker and physician Ibne Sina had argued in the favor of isolation in his medical encyclopedia “The Canon of Medicine.” In his volume, he debated that isolation is an effective method to control the spread of disease. The word ‘quarantine’ is originated from the Venetian language ‘quarantena.’ The Venice merchants used the term during the Black Death plague to assure that all ships were isolated for 40 days before they go ashore. 

So, learning from these studies, we should now be confirmed that isolation is the only solution in this hour of peril and it’s not in any way against Islam. The congregational prayers in the Muslim countries such as Saudia Arabia, Arab, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman have also been restricted and people are ordered to pray at homes. 

People who are still attending mosques to offer prayers are opposing the teachings of Islam by putting their families at risk.

The plague (contagion) patient who remains in his home with patience and expectation of reward, knowing that nothing will befall him other than Allah’s decree will attain the reward or a martyr.

“_Musnad Aḥmad, Sahih also Bukhaari (2829) and Muslim (1914)”

Now, you must be in no doubts to avoid congregational prayers during this pandemic.

How to Spend Ramadan in Lockdown?

This Ramadan is not like the ones we are used to having in the past. So, this time it’s all about keeping it simple and spiritual a thousand times more as compared to the last ones. We are sure you all must be having different plans to spend this month but while you make your plans, you should know how to make it more meaningful.

For People who work from home

Those who have their 9 to 5 jobs hardly get time to pray because the work keeps them tired and busy. The hectic schedule drain your energy while taking your prayers time. Now, when you have been given work from home, you can save the commute hours and spend it in prayers. You’ll be less tired since you won’t be travelling to the office, socialising with colleagues and attending iftar meals. Take out the dedicated hours for your work and spend the rest in prayers, recitation and understanding the Quran. You’re given this time by Allah to think and reflect on what you have been hearing all your life and never got the chance to learn about it in depth. 

For Women: Back to the Basic

Instead of planning your sahoor and iftaar meals, get back to the basic and don’t spend a lot of your money on scrumptious meals because we don’t know when this pandemic will last so extravagance spending can cost you in the latter times. Secondly, while you’ll be having your basics there will be people in your surroundings who are deprived of it. Since you’ll be getting no chance to attend sahoor and iftaar gatherings, so you can spend that money on the needy or NGOs in Pakistan who are working for the impoverished community.

To all the menfolks, it’s not the women-only responsibility to contribute the lion’s share in kitchen chores, so please help your wives and mothers in kitchen responsibilities. Our Prophet (P.B.U.H) is a great example in this, he never asked his wives to work for him but instead contributed in the work to help them. 

This is the first time, we are having Ramadan in lockdown so this time, I’ll keep myself less involved in cooking as I have already prepared for it a month before. I have cooked most of the items and froze it so I and my children can learn Islam and focus on Ibadat together. Since, I have to prepare for my whole family so I’m done with the stuff that consumes more time in the kitchen such as making tomatoes puree, cutting vegetables and cleaning and marinating chicken. I’ll also focus on mindful activities to keep myself and my family positive at this time.

~ A mom-lifestyle blogger at Hafsayss

Meet the Artist in You

The free time is the best time to explore the art in you because research says that every person has at least one hidden skill in them. It can be calligraphy, designing, writing, gardening, journaling or even communicating with people. Bring on that skill and work to hone it. By meeting with your inner self you’ll be less prone to depression and can keep your mental health positive. You can also keep this skill a fun activity with your family so you all can come up with something great while making the memories together. Remember, this is also the best time to strengthen your relationship with your families and loved ones. Meet Hijabi stylist HANA who come up with beautiful DIY Ramadan preps with her kids to make them learn the importance of Ramadan and how can one still be creative despite the lockdown.

We didn’t have anything from last year and this year due to lockdown we couldn’t buy anything so I used old and available stuff such as wrapping paper, some left glitter sheet, old packaging paper, cardboard banner coloured with acrylic paints, handmade box for books made with pillow cover. You can also use anything, it’s all about your will and efforts. I and my kids really enjoyed this. Their involvement is must, they feel we learned something. Plus, it makes Ramadan more excited to them.

@hijabihanaofficial

Read also: Amaliah’s 9 Point Guide to Getting Through a Lockdown Ramadan

Keep It Virtual

Those who are lockdown with their families will have them to celebrate together but those who are lockdown in Ramadan alone will need the virtual company. So, you can share your meals online, chat with them, pray together and spur each other on. You can also schedule your Taraweeh prayers online. If you’re missing the lectures of your Imam then you can also help him to arrange an online setup and ask to come up online so people in lockdown can be benefitted from this. Don’t run to the mosque because the virus can attack you without even letting you feel about it. Social distancing is a prophetic command so you must follow it.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not cause harm or return harm.”_

Sunan Ibn Mājah (2340)

Momal Tahir

I prefer books and diaries more than phones and Facebook. Soulfully connected to Pakistan. And I passionately believe that I can change the world through blogging.