On the 11th of April 2020, Ustaz Syed Israa’ was invited by Isma Eropah to give a talk on the challenges that we can anticipate once this pandemic is over. It was an interesting talk, and I highly recommend it to everyone. I’m sharing what I remembered most from the talk today as the message resonated how my week has been so far.
The terrifying statistics of Covid-19 started to hit me when I can see the effect even to those around me. I started to hear news about colleagues gone off sick, some tested positive and some was admitted into the hospital (one in intensive care). Everyone seems on edge at work, and I can definitively feel the anxiety that fills the air.
1. From the talk, Ustaz Syed Israa’ countlessly emphasised that as Muslims, we must remain calm in the face of adversity. Everything that takes place around us happens with the will of Allah, so Muslims are taught to face either joyous news or tribulations with calmness, patience, gratitude and sense of reflection.
2. Instilling the value of ‘Qana’ah’ or contentment for what Allah has bestowed upon us. This includes our home, food, clothes etc. We don’t need ridiculous amounts of food or toilet paper to survive. In fact, we need to be grateful for the food that we have everyday, and remember those who are at a more difficult position that us.
3. Social distancing is an opportunity or a gift from Allah to allow us to connect with Allah in a deeper and a more meaningful manner, especially with the extra time we have at home (for those working from home). Celebrating Ramadan this year will be interesting as there will be limitations to what we normally do during the month of Ramadan. In the end, it is up to us to ‘set the mood’ for the Holy month, and I pray that Allah grants us strength and patience to observe this Holy month to the best of our capability.
May Allah protect us all and I wish you Ramadan Mubarak! Keep calm, stay at home and don’t lose faith in Allah.
Aliah Sabri
Isma Eropah Activist
