With lockdowns imposed around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in Singapore’s case, the circuit breaker, many of us have had to make significant changes to our lives. With workplaces, schools, public places and even mosques being closed, we are spending more time at home now.
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In Muslim.Sg’s Just Ask! AYN session on Facebook live, Ustaz Ridhwan Mohd Basor and Ustaz Syazwan El Rani from Asatizah Youth Network discussed the importance of staying home during this period of global pandemic, how to deal with the challenges as Muslims and ways that we can seek spirituality while at home.
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P.S. For the uninitiated, Just Ask! AYN is a weekly talk show by local asatizah from Singapore, live on Facebook every Thursday at 9.30 pm (new timing starting 23 April 2020). During the session, you can ask questions and interact with asatizah through the comments section.
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Or refer to slides that highlight the relevant hadiths and verses from the Quran such as the one below:
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Virtues of staying home during a pandemic
We are living in unprecedented times, with lockdowns in many parts of the world. For those of us living in Singapore, authorities have imposed its “circuit breaker” measures, with only essential services allowed to operate and strict enforcement of social distancing rules. Singaporeans are also strongly advised not to leave their homes unless they have to go to work or buy groceries.
#HHWT Tip: Find out how to adapt to new norms to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Several Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have imposed full to a partial lockdown of their cities. In Malaysia itself, the movement restriction order (MCO) has been extended twice, as they are fighting to curb the spread of the virus.
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But did you know that staying home during this period has its virtues, according to Islam? Islam teaches us to be adaptive and many things that we’re experiencing today has some guidance and parallels with the past, and this provides hope for people to stay at home.
Prophetic teachings in dealing with a pandemic 1400 years ago had already taught us to stay at home and that we will be rewarded with a reward that was given to the martyrs, MasyaAllah. As Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said in this hadith:
As we fight COVID-19, it is our social and religious responsibility to help to flatten the curve. If we go out less, we will be able to save ourselves and our loved ones from being infected with the virus. With less people mixing, the virus will have fewer hosts and help us to lessen the community spread. In Islam, it is taught that saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity.
If we really need to go out, let us observe social distancing by staying 1-2 metre away from others and avoid shaking of hands. We can continue to give salam without having to shake the hands of our friends or those we meet. But that said, let’s not lose the essence of giving salam (peace) to people we meet; we can simply say Assalamualaikum and return the salam. Rasulullah s.a.w. taught us that even a smile is a form of charity, and by doing so, we can spread the love and optimism, especially during this tough period.
P.S. Want more Islamic tips on how to deal with the current situation as a Muslim? Stay tuned for the next episode of Just Ask! AYN on Muslim.Sg’s Facebook page!
Challenges for Muslims in quarantine and how to deal with it
First and foremost, let us pray for those who are in self-isolation due to quarantine orders or stay-home notices. Being in self-isolation or even staying home for long periods of time can affect one’s mental health and psychological well-being. Here are3 Ways Islam Teaches Us Self-Care.
The story of Prophet Yunus a.s. in Surah Al-Anbiya holds a lot of meaning and guidance for those staying at home in quarantine. Prophet Yunus a.s. encountered a severe thunderstorm while at sea and he was thrown off a ship. But he was swept up by a whale and was trapped in its belly. While the Prophet a.s. was tested with being trapped in darkness and lived through uncertainty, he never gave up and turned to Allah for guidance.
The Prophet a.s. recited this zikir:
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu mina zolimin
“And he called out within the darknesses, “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, "I have been the wrongdoer.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya': 87)
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From this story, we can learn to use our moment of isolation to reconnect with Allah s.w.t and strengthen our faith. In times like these, the silver lining is that we can pause our hectic routines and use this time to cherish the bounties of Allah, reflect on our misdeeds and seek forgiveness. We also have more time to perform solat hajat (prayer of intent) to pray for a cure for the virus and make dua for others who are suffering. We can get close to Allah by reading more of the Quran. You may be isolated from others, but your heart and soul will never be isolated from God. Find out what else you can do in this article on Seeking Allah in Times of Distress.
While spirituality is an important aspect of being in isolation, self-care and mental well-being are also very important. During this time, take the opportunity to call your loved ones, friends and family members to reconnect with them. At the end of the day, this is a good time to reflect on all that we have - God, family, close friends and a place to call home. Get tips on how to care for your parents during this circuit breaker.
Alhamdulillah for technology, you can communicate with your loved ones easily and check on them. Technology can also be used to gain more religious knowledge such as Just Ask! AYN’s Facebook live, Islamic podcasts and online lectures by asatizah.
P.S. If you have a question or need to address a concern, tune in to Just Ask! AYN’s Facebook live where you can interact with asatizah through the comments section. Look out for updates on Muslim.Sg’s Facebook page!
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For example, in Malaysia, several asatizah have come up with a campaign called “QuranTime” to encourage Muslims to spend an hour every day to recite the Quran. For more resources, you can also listen to these Islamic podcasts.
P.S. Check out these 5 simple guidelines for Muslims who are under quarantine!
Seeking spirituality at home: How to turn our homes into our masjid?
While mosques in many countries, including Singapore and Malaysia have been closed for an uncertain period of time, we can still seek spirituality at home. The world is our masjid. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said in a hadith that “All of the Earth is a Masjid except for the graveyard and washroom”.
In a beautiful Instagram post, Singapore’s Mufti Dr Nazirudin Nasir also said that “Our relationship with God does not end nor will it weaken simply because we cannot go to the mosque. Everywhere you stand on His earth, you are His servant and slave. He watches over your heart. So continue to do good”.
P.S. Here are 8 benefits of doing ibadah at home.
The door of mosques may be closed but not the door to receive God’s mercy and doing good deeds. So, don’t stop doing good, don’t stop reaching out to Allah s.w.t and to your loved ones, beyond the physical space of the mosque.
There are several ways to get close to Allah while you’re at home such as doing more prayers, zikir (remembrance of Allah), Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah), making dua and spending time with family. Check out Muslim.Sg’s article on 8 ways to get closer to Allah at home.
We hope these tips will help you find strength and guidance during this difficult period. If you have questions or need to address a concern, tune in to Just Ask! AYN’s Facebook live where you can interact with asatizah through the comments section. Look out for updates on Muslim.Sg’s Facebook page!
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