Voice of British Muslim Women

Tahira Chaudhry, London

In the comfort of our homes we have sought refuge from Covid-19 and it is in this relative comfort that we have watched as thousands have struggled, been hurt, grieved and tens of thousands have sadly passed away. Difficulties often serve to reawaken our humility, ever present in us but sometimes silenced by the overwhelming demands and goings on of today’s material, digital and fast-moving world. The world today has had an unrivalled chance to pause and reflect and it is in this period of silence that many have reawakened and reacquainted themselves with their true inner self.

In the ‘Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam’, the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community  has most eloquently explained the three states of man and it seems most befitting to mention them here.  He explains that man in his natural state is not regulated by anyone or anything and acts on impulse alone. But when one reflects, exercises reason and begins to distinguish between good and bad then morality takes seed. When man begins to employ his faculties on the correct occasion, adopts goodness and moral qualities then a reproving self emerges. A new self that feels anxious to do good is the emergence of the moral state, but it is not one that is necessarily spiritual or religious all the time.  The spiritual state emerges when man begins his search for his Creator, the root and reason for his life. It is when man heeds his understanding of the divine that the spiritual state is established; and the soul finds peace.

To me, it seems that this emergence of one state to another as we reform and better ourselves is the journey of our lives and it is in exercising goodness only that we can have solace in the noise and flurry of this harsh but beautiful world. The more we improve, the more deep meaningful calm and peaceful joy we invite and accept into our lives and homes. In these unprecedented times then, this is the search and desire for improvement for which we should all strive.

Establishing a relationship with God and in our personal communion with Him we gain the highest form of joy because as the Promised Messiah said, ‘a person experiences a change in God according to the change in himself.’[1] It is in our personal experience of Allah and His answering of our prayers that we find comfort. In the Holy Qur’an we are told that Allah says: ‘And when My servants ask thee about Me, say: ‘I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.’ (2:187)

A post-Covid society enriched by the true recognition of God and all that is good will have truly triumphed. Covid-19 has hurt us but embarking on a path of goodness we can emerge a stronger society. Prayer is that light which we seek in these dark and unprecedented times. It is in suffering that sadly much is gained, and it seems that a post-Covid society will certainly have such gains. But just as we are told that anticipation is half the joy; it also seems that anticipation is half the anguish. Anguish as lockdown opens.

Life is a journey and can be a path to purification – if we chose this for ourselves. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) presented himself as a witness for the existence of God and this repeatedly comes to surface in his writings. He affirmed that one who moves towards God will find God and will also find that God moves closer to him with a quicker speed than his own.

These are testing times, of that there is no doubt but what is ever clear also is the truth that in remaining steadfast during trial we become truly deserving of God’s special grace. In that then, we can be sure that we will begin to taste of the fruits of heaven in this very life. That is an opening of lockdown we should all be eager for.

‘Time is short and there is no telling how long one shall live. Make haste – for twilight will soon descend.’[2]

[1] Noah’s Ark, page 19

[2] Noah’s Ark, Page 43