Voice of British Muslim Women

Sameen Rashid Chaudhary, London

Ramadan 2020 has certainly been different. As Muslims we understand that during this holy month Satan is locked up in chains and the gates of Hell are closed[1]. This year, with a global pandemic raging, a large portion of the Muslim Ummah worldwide is on lockdown. And, as we are in the last 10 days of Ramadan, many Muslims will be in spiritual retreat called I’tekaf. Three very different types of locked situations occurring at the same time has made for a unique Ramadan.

When something bad is locked away it is generally for the wider good so that they can no longer cause harm. Such is the concept behind prison too, with many prisoners using their time inside to reform. Satan being locked away is a special blessing of this month. It gives Muslims chance and motivation to focus on worship and develop good morals. Ramadan is about renewal and building upon the good works. It is also a time where, by the end of it, God Willing, we have strengthened our bond with God, and had our sins forgiven. It allows us to make up for those times when we fell short. Locked up Satan actually means that it is easier to implement discipline; abstaining from evil and actively engaging with the good. When this essence of Ramadan enters our hearts and minds, then we can hope God’s mercy will shut the gates of Hell for us.

However, a lockdown, is the reverse; it is put in place to keep us from harm. Even though it is not so much voluntarily, we know that it is for our own good. So many lives and livelihoods have been lost in the covid-19 pandemic that we are experiencing. Yes, it has been difficult for some to be cut off from loved ones, to not be able to go out and so on. But there has been a good reason for it all: to help save lives.

Ramadan on lockdown has meant not continuing with the usual work/school routine, which in turn has afforded a little more freedom with timings at home. Fasting in non-Muslim countries usually has to strike a balance with the normal day, resulting in little sleep and perhaps not enough time for extra nawaffil (voluntary Prayers) or reading of the Holy Quran as much as we like. On lockdown, whilst life at home is still busy, we can now fit the day around our worship and adjust our routines accordingly. And surprisingly for some, this Ramadan has actually flown by a lot faster than originally thought.

And then there is the third type: locked away. During the last ten days of Ramadan, some Muslims choose to go into a spiritual retreat in mosques. On lockdown this year it will be a quiet area in homes, where they will have shut themselves off from the outside world and focus solely on worship of the Creator. I’tekaf is a time of devotion, a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. There is something quite distinct about voluntary confinement. It intensifies worship, and brings one into a state of anguish and heartfelt prayer whilst concentrating the mind on the higher goal.

So, whichever type of ‘locked’ situation we are experiencing, we can make use of this time as those who did before us lest we be duped by Satan who does not learn year on year. Whether it is the intense prayer of Prophet Jonah (on whom be peace) whilst trapped (21:88), Prophet Joseph (on whom be peace) who was locked away only to be brought before the King (12:102); the meditation of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the Cave of Hira, or the 40-day spiritual retreat of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in which he was given the glad tidings to begin the Community of True Islam; confinement in different forms have brought about revolutions for the righteous. The hope is that our own locked up, locked down, and locked away situation will bring a reform in our own lives too that we can ‘lock in’ and build on. Inshallah

[1] Bukhari and Muslim