Thriving in a physically distanced Ramadan

Finding new opportunities to attain individual and collective piety during a virtual-first, decentralized Ramadan

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Just like that, Ramadan 1441 / 2020 started. Unlike previous years filled with the buzz and logistics of organizing iftars, Itikafs, fundraisers and coordinating shared rides to the mosque, the holy month of Ramadan 1441 finds many of us confined at home.

A natural feeling can be one of sadness and nostalgia. As I sit and remember the various ways I celebrated Ramadan in Abidjan, Lagos, San Francisco, Boston over the last two decades, I have to acknowledge that in my lifetime there has never really been a Ramadan like this one.

All the usual traditions of Iftars, Tarawih prayers, Itikaf and Eid we took for granted are disrupted and find the global Muslim community unable to implement them at a large scale. These developments took many of us by surprise and many can find themselves demoralized, demotivated or puzzled on how to celebrate Ramadan.

Usually, I do not have to think very hard about activities during Ramadan as most of them are organized by local religious leadership and are very predictable. The extra work comes from adjusting personal schedule to be involved in the organization and attendance of these events and make the most of this holy month.

This year, Ramadan 1441 comes with the extra challenge of physical distance. To understand how to navigate this holy month under these circumstances, it is important to go back to the fundamentals.

Why Ramadan ?

Oh, you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness” [Quran,2:183]

Ramadan is a special time of the year for Muslims during which we are encouraged to turn back to Allah. Stepping away from our routines filled with worldly occupations and returning to Allah is the central theme of this month. It is a moment to get closer to the Quran, learn more about our tradition, purpose of this life and get closer as a community. The essence of Ramadan stays the same and the challenge this year for the Ummah is to find new, creative ways to “learn piety” and attain God-consciousness in a time of physical distancing.

How will you thrive this Ramadan?

Should health and economic conditions allow, many Muslims around the world will still be able to normally observe fasting during the day and abstain from sexual relations, sinful behavior and devote themselves to prayer, recitation of the Quran and performing charitable deeds.

The responsibility of each Muslim and community leader in these times is heightened as the practice and success of Ramadan will depend more on a distributed execution of a worship program as the central nodes which are the mosques and community dinners become unavailable resources.

This is a time to shine and for each of us to nudge ourselves, families, friends and communities to thrive during this month. We are all that we have and the question we must each be asking ourselves in our circles of influence is “How will we thrive as a community in the extraordinary circumstances which we find ourselves in?”

Opportunities in an online-first and decentralized Ramadan

“By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience” Surah Al-Asr 103

To understand how we can thrive during this month, we have to take a look at the opportunities existing in an online-first Ramadan:

• In general, more time for worship due to reduced commute and social activities
• Virtual Iftars within communities at a local or global scale
• Reading and discussion video conferences focused on Quran, Sunnah or contemporary Muslim challenges
• Creating and sharing (publicly or privately) Islamic digital content (videos, essays) to keep the community engaged
• Quranic recitations within friends and family circles
• Nightly prayers
• Duas & Dhikr

Thankfully, many Mosque leaders too have already risen to the occasion and multiplied the number of webinars, virtual khutbahs and program offerings to fill the need of the Ummah. It is important to collect and share these resources. Good example here.

Connecting with the wider community

Beyond implementing programs for ourselves, families and friends to attain piety and get closer to Allah, it is also highly important to find within ourselves the courage to still care and show up for the community.

Ramadan is often a peak fundraising time for many community projects. While we encounter and navigate the individual challenges as our physical and economic safety are uncertain, we must also connect with the wider community and allocate time, money and intellect to contribute to charitable causes. Covid-19 further accentuates economic challenges and it is now more important than ever to lead the way and donate generously.

Conclusion

To conclude, Ramadan 1441 will definitely be one for the history books. As it begins, we must make sure that we do our best to have a positive story to tell coming out of it. While there are initial anxieties, InshAllah, the Ummah will thrive and find innovative ways to attain piety.

May Allah make it easy for us