Khoula Saeed, Tilford
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful.
As the clock struck midnight on January 1st 2020, cities erupted in fireworks and celebrations. Food was shared, best wishes were spread. In my local mosque Prayers were led. The world extended its welcome to the upcoming year. New Year’s Day brings not only the coming together of people but also the anticipation of new beginnings as well as the drive to finish what we had not in the previous year. Little did we know that the world would come to a grinding halt amidst a worldwide pandemic just a few weeks later.
‘…Our Lord, grant us good in this world as well as good in the world to come, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.’ (2:202)[1]
This prayer from the Holy Qur’an that seemed to pass through my lips more than ever during 2020; one of the most eventful, turbulent and challenging, yet rewarding year of our lives. With regards to the above verse, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) comments:
“The aforementioned a comprehensive prayer to attain temporary good as well as permanent good. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) often said this prayer. This prayer prevents us from the hell of this world while honouring the dues of God and the dues of mankind.” [2]
For all the moments that I have muttered this prayer – I could list all that has gone wrong this year, all the hardships that have been faced. But that is not what I believe the New Year should be about. As my GCSE Spanish teacher fondly reminded me when studies got a bit rough, that we should not ‘cry over spilt milk’. This sweet analogy seems almost perfect when reflecting on the year 2020. I myself have lost irreplaceable and valuable people in my life due to the COVID-19 virus but through all the hurt and pain we have all faced, I believe as a global community we have come out stronger than we could have ever imagined.
We have seen the coming together of communities and nations in efforts to advance and establish rights where they are duly needed. We have seen thousands of individuals fall down on one knee to acknowledge and honour the loss of innocent lives; put their hands together to praise the hardworking NHS and healthcare professionals when hospitals were filled to the brim, overflowing with suffering patients. Donations and assistance were provided generously to Australia during the catastrophic bushfires. Religious celebrations and festivities, although limited to the home, were a beacon of light for many people during the dark times we have come across. Our prayers, our resilience and, most importantly, God’s mercy pulled us through all this relatively unscathed.
Fireworks, pretty as they may be, were not needed for us to come together through this year of disruption and uncertainty. In fact it was the bond of love and compassion that we have for each other, as part of God’s creation that held everybody together as the challenges of 2020 tried to tear us apart. One of the most potent themes last year was about protecting each other; keeping distance to protect those most vulnerable, staying at home to protect the infrastructure of the NHS, raising money in a national effort to support struggling businesses and provide resources. The unity of mankind in its natural inclination towards humanity, is one of the biggest blessings and we saw it manifested so much last year. Going forward, it is this spirit of compassion for one another, this recognition of responsibility to the most vulnerable in society that will enable us to truly see progress at the end of this pandemic.
So, when I sit down tonight to write my New Year’s Resolutions, no matter what we are faced with, I will look back with a smile, I will look forward with an open heart, hopeful that we will be able to continue the togetherness we all started. And I wish we all do the same as, God willing, good times will surely come again.
References:
[1] The Holy Qur’an with English Translation by Maulawi Sher Alira. Chapter 2,Verse 202.
[2] Friday Sermon Jan 1st 2010
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