Ramadan in The Midst of a Pandemic

The holy month’s flavor has changed during the coronavirus outbreak as many activities and gatherings are cancelled. It was supposed to be a symbol of unity, joy and overflowing mosques; but COVID-19 has decided otherwise

The fourth pillar of Islam is believed to be the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, for the holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) in that particular month. Muslims all around the world are required to fast from dawn to sunset to devote themselves to their divine and get closer to him. However, the current strict and exceptional circumstances have obliged them to adapt to the new taste of Ramadan.

The Islamic holy month is different this year as restrictions imposed by the world’s authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have banned congregational prayers and large gatherings. On a global basis, deserted mosques have not occurred since the prophet Muhammed was still alive.

In mid-April, Saudi Arabia announced that the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina would remain closed and that Tarawih prayers would be held without worshippers’ presence. The same thing goes for Al Masjid Al-Aqsa that is the third holiest site in Sunni Islam, and the world’s local mosques. The world’s 1.8 billion Muslims are asked to pray at home and break their fasts in isolation instead of doing a spiritual retreat in mosques, and sharing some appetizing meals with their beloved ones. Leading scholars also highlighted that prayers would be observed online with live-streamed Islamic lectures.

To protect Muslim pilgrims from the deadly virus, Saudi officials have postponed pilgrimage procedures taking into consideration the prophet’s (PBUH) Hadith -reported by Al Bukhari-

If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.”

As well as the Quranic verse

And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction.” Al-Baqarah 2:195

This step was not even taken during the deadliest flu pandemic in history that took place in 1918.

Ramadan this year is tinged with sadness, mosques are deserted and families are held hostage, but the Islamic religion’s richness and the Muslim scholars’ hard work offer myriad ways of dealing with this outbreak to keep Muslim believers in good mental health.