Indeed, in an ever-changing, ever-trying world, it takes a lot of effort to stay on His Path. One moment we feel so close to Him, then tragically disconnected the next. Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) once said,

“Never have I dealt with anything more difficult than my own soul, which sometimes helps me and sometimes opposes me.”

Relate much? It truly takes a lot of effort to train our nafs (soul) to not give in to acts of heedlessness and disbelief. But, with the blessed Ramadhan here, it will in shaa Allah become easier as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said ‘the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained’ during this month (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).

What do we want to achieve this month? What do we want to change? What kind of servant of Allah swt do we want to be this Ramadhan and beyond?

In his ‘Ihya Ulum-id-Din (The Revival of Religious Learnings), Imam Ghazali talks about six steps of spiritual efforts that a believer needs to implement to come closer to Allah swt and gain success in the hereafter, in shaa Allah. We briefly present them here with the hope that everyone finds them useful in making the most of Ramadhan in particular and in implementing positive change in one’s life in general, in shaa Allah:

1. Musharatah. As in any endeavor, we need to first and foremost commit ourselves to making a change for the best as servants of Allah swt. In this step, we are setting a self-development contract in which we list the guidelines, terms and conditions for our thoughts, words and actions. We need to be make sure we base our contract on Quranic guidance and Prophetic example. For this to happen, we need to constantly deepen our knowledge of the deen. What is the purpose of our existence? What does Allah swt command us to do while in this world? How did the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ live? How similar is our current way of life to his ﷺ? What do we specifically want to work on this Ramadhan and what consequences are we going to impose on ourselves should we fail?
2. Muraqabah. This step pertains to guarding ourselves before engaging in any behavior. What is our intention for a word or act? Is what we are about to say or do a reflection of our submission to and love for Allah swt? Mindful living is indeed key to gaining the pleasure of our All-Compassionate and All-Forgiving Creator.
3. Muhasabah. While we may try our very best to be mindful before performing an act, it is also part of human nature to forget and behave without careful thought. Hence, we need to develop the habit of accounting ourselves regularly. What did we do today? Were we able to stick to our self-development contract? Were we able to perform our obligatory duties with ihsaan (excellence)? What voluntary or optional acts were we able to perform? What did we fail to do and what lapses or sins did we commit?
4. Mu’aqabah. Part of the terms of our self-development contract are the consequences or penalty we’ll impose on ourselves when we fail to stick to the terms of our agreement. In this step, we impose the penalties whenever we commit mistakes or sins. It may sound harsh, but we need to remember that consequences need to be within the bounds of our deen and implemented with the intention of disciplining and purifying our nafs. This is an important step which should not be delayed as delays can lead to the nafs getting used to giving in to its passions and finding it easier to commit sins.
5. Mujahadah. It is the constant striving against our lower nafs and worldly inclinations that are not beneficial for our hereafter. It may not be easy, but we try our best to stick to our contract, perform the obligatory acts of worship and increase the voluntary ones.
6. Mu’atabah. As a human being, we at times go back to our old ways and abandon the agreement we set for ourselves. When this happens, we need to seek The Most Merciful’s forgiveness, repent and return to His path. Repentance is not just asking for forgiveness, but more importantly doing our best to not return to our old ways.

There we have it; six steps for spiritual efforts. We may even start a journal that consists of our contract, a list of behavior to continue and areas to change and/or improve, daily behavioral logs along with corresponding consequences for lapses, important supplications for seeking forgiveness, repentance and steadfastness on His deen, among others. We can even have a loved one as our accountability buddy to make it easier for us to stick to our contract, in shaa Allah.

May Allah swt make this our best Ramadhan yet, and may He continuously keep our hearts steadfast on His deen. Ameen.

————————–

Reference: al-Ghazali, A. H. (1993). Meditation & Introspection. In Fazl-ul Karim (Trans.; 1st ed.),  Revival of Religious Learnings: Imam Ghazzali’s Ihya Ulum-id-Din Vol IV: The Book of Constructive Virtues (pp. 334-369). Darul-Ishaat.

These are common questions we get from community members about mental health care. While conducting mental health first aid or psychological first aid training would be best to raise awareness and equip community members, a lot rarely get to spare time for such training.

Below are the basic tips we’ve been sharing in such cases to make it easy for everyone to understand what they can do for themselves and for others when feeling overwhelmed. We begin by sharing what we can do for our own selves, followed by what we can do for others:

When feeling overwhelmed by our thoughts, feelings and emotions, let’s apply these

A’s for The Sake of The Almighty:

Acknowledge your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Running away from them will only make you feel worse and may even affect your relationship with others.

Accept that these are normal reactions to your challenging experiences. Everyone feels this way sometimes. We are human.

Assess what you can do to help yourself relax, understand and process these thoughts, feelings and emotions. Will talking with loved ones or a professional help? Will sleeping or keeping yourself busy with hobbies and interests work? Will praying and doing dhikr make you feel better? What positive actions can you take?

Ask for help whenever needed. There is nothing wrong with it. It makes us appreciate even more the people Allah swt gave us.

Act to reach the desired goal. Identifying what to do is one thing; doing them is another. 

Okay, now that we know what we can do for our own selves, let’s focus on how we can help our loved ones when they’re feeling overwhelmed…

When helping our loved ones process how they feel, let’s practice these

A’s for the Sake of The Almighty:

Acknowledge how the person feels. Instead of telling the person to just pray or to don’t think about how they feel, recognize and respect what they are sharing.

Appreciate the person’s honesty or courage to open up. It is never easy to share with others how we feel. So, if a loved one opens up, make sure to communicate how much you value their decision to open up to you.

Accept that it is a normal reaction to challenging experiences. Everyone feels this way sometimes. We are all human.

Allow the person to share more about their challenging experiences. Listen actively and with empathy. No judgments, no criticisms.

Assess together what can be done to help the person relax, understand and process feelings. Will talking with loved ones or a professional help? Will sleeping or keeping oneself busy with hobbies and interests work? Will praying and doing dhikr make one feel better? What positive actions can be taken?

Ask for help whenever needed. There is nothing wrong with it. It makes us appreciate even more the people Allah swt gave us.

Affirm the person’s plan of actions if they are good and encourage the person to act to reach the desired goal. Make follow-up conversations to know how the person is doing.

There we have it. It may be difficult to remember and practice them in the beginning, but never give up. The more we practice them, the more they become natural to implement, in shaa Allah.

May we all be able to apply the above always with the intention of helping ourselves and others become better individuals for the sake of our Most Loving Creator, and may He accept our efforts as sincere service for His sake. Ameen.

Have you realized that Allah swt allowed Ibrahim (as) to be tested as a son only to be tested again as a father? Ibrahim (as) believed in the oneness of Allah swt and rejected the idols being worshipped during his time. He attempted to invite his father and his people to leave idol worship but was repeatedly rejected. His father, who happened to be one of the main carvers of the idols being worshipped that time, threatened to stone him should he persist in calling people to change their ways. We all know that eventually Ibrahim (as) was thrown into the fire by his people but was saved by Allah swt. He left his community upon realizing it was futile to call them to the truth, yet he still prayed for his parents.

Pondering on this, we find some beautiful advice on how to treat our parents, Alhamdulillah. Let’s ask ourselves: How patient are we with our parents when they err? Have we truly exerted the best efforts to invite them to change their wrong ways? How forgiving are we of their mistakes and shortcomings? Can we find it in our hearts to pray for them, remembering how they took care of us and how patient they were with our own lapses? It’s also interesting to note that at times, distance is indeed needed to make healing easier, or to make relationships better, and to protect our faith once we’ve done our part yet we do not see any positive change.

Years passed, and Ibrahim (as) was tested as a family man himself: first, when Allah swt asked him to leave his wife Hajar and their baby Ismail in a valley of Makkah without provision or shelter; and second, when Allah swt asked him to sacrifice Ismail who was now a young man. In both cases, Ibrahim (as) remained faithful and backed this strong faith with beautiful actions. In the first test, submitting to his Lord and knowing that there is nothing he can do to protect his wife and son but to pray, he gave such a beautiful supplication:

“Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.”

Noble Qur’an, Ibrahim (14):37

Dissecting the above supplication, we are reminded of what should be our goals not just for ourselves but for our loved ones—i.e, to become servants of The Almighty who never forget to worship Him. We are also shown here the huge responsibility upon the shoulders of fathers—to not just provide for the basic needs but to ensure the safety and security of the family. Given that Ibrahim cannot be physically with them, what does he do? He does not give a general prayer asking Allah swt to protect them. Rather, he prays for the people whom his descendants will meet and with whom they will live as one community—that Allah allows good relations to be established among them and that they be given provision so they might become grateful to their Lord. Imagine that, subhanAllah. It’s something any man would want for his family—that no harm (of any and all forms) touches his loved ones. We know we can do our best to protect them at our own homes, but what about outside, right? It shows that we should not forget to pray for our communities; after all, as they say, it takes a village to raise a child. If you are (or are going to be) a family man, you may want to ponder on these things. Additionally, answer these questions: What are our goals for our family? How serious are we in fulfilling our family responsibilities? Do we ensure that they are protected from harm (of any and all forms)? Ibrahim (as) was called by Allah swt to leave his family as a test; what about us? If we are thinking of leaving to work far from them, how do we ensure that we can nurture and protect ties? Or, if we are thinking of leaving the relationship (or have already done so), why? Can we say it was Allah swt Who instructed us to do so? Is it really Him or a weakness of our own evil-commanding self (nafs)? what happened to the goals? what happened to the responsibilities? what will happen to our families?

Hajar also stands out here. She could’ve cursed Ibrahim (as) for leaving them without support. But, when she asked him if it was the command of Allah and he affirmed it, she submits. She neither questions nor argues; she holds on to faith. Again, faith is backed up by action here. She climbs back and forth to the hills of Safa and Marwa under the heat of the son not just once or twice or thrice, but seven times in search for help or sustenance for her baby. And assistance indeed was sent by Allah swt.

Hajar’s story teaches us so many things. It reminds us that love for our children should be grounded on faith and love for The Most Loving. She loved Ismail, yes, but she trusted and loved Allah swt more, hence, was able to bear being left with her precious baby in the valley of Makkah without provision from Ibrahim (as). It also shows the support a wife can give to her husband should he be assigned far away. It can even be a reassurance to widows or single mothers that Allah swt always has the best of plans laid out for each of us. Ibrahim (as) may have been far away, but Allah swt gave Hajar and Ismail (as) provision and allowed a good community to be built where they were. Some questions to ask ourselves as mothers and/or wives: Do we love our children for the sake of Allah swt? How do we show support for our husbands while they are away? How patient and faithful are we when there seems to be nothing left for us and our children?

In the second test, it is worth noting that although it already became clear to Ibrahim (as) that he indeed was being ordered by Allah swt to sacrifice his own son, he consulted his son about this and did not simply leave Ismail clueless up to the last second:

“And, when he (his son) was old enough to work with him, he said, “Oh, my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I (must) sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “Oh, my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the patient ones.” Noble Qur’an, As-Saffat (37):102

We must assess our relationship with our children: do we allow and encourage them to participate in family discussions? More importantly, do we consult them and consider their views especially on issues that will directly affect them? We are also reminded how critical it is to raise faithful and steadfast children, so we can be confident that, in shaa Allah, they will make the right decisions and will be faithfully patient to accept whatever befalls them. This was truly a hard test for Ibrahim (as). Imagine not having a child for so long and when you finally have one, you are then asked to give him up. SubhanAllah. Yet, he and his son submitted; and for that, they were rewarded tremendously.

There is also so much to learn from how Ismail (as) handled this test. He, along with his parents, remained steadfast no matter how much Shaytaan tried to prevent them from performing the sacrifice. In some narrations, Ismail (as) even asked Ibrahim (as) to tie his hands and feet to avoid the possibility of him resisting when he is about to be sacrificed. Remember, too, what he said,

“You will find me, if Allah wills, of the patient ones.”

That reflects confidence and courage fuelled by faith. In shaa Allah (If Allah wills), he said. He was not simply being confident that he had what it takes to patiently submit. There is this consciousness of the One Who bestows patience. And, asking his father to tie him up reflects not just steadfastness but also excellence and an important part of trust in Allah—doing our part to the best of our ability.

Ponder some more, shall we? Perhaps, there are times in our lives when we feel like an Ismail—the one being sacrificed; the one being let go; the one being ‘abandoned’. We must admit, that’s not easy to accept. That hurts a lot! After all, we all want to love and be loved. Psychology will tell us that’s going to take a lot of denial, a lot of anger, a lot of bargaining, and even depression…but yes, there is acceptance. But you know what makes acceptance sound even more beautiful? Submission to His will, with such beautiful patience. This is the kind of definition of acceptance we all need. How are we handling being let go? How are we handling pain or anger? How are we ‘tying ourselves up’ so we can remain steadfast to Him when Shaytaan tries to persuade us to go astray? Think of that, Ismail asked to be tied so he won’t waver. It’s a reminder that while others might hurt us, it will still be our decision to hang on to faith or to let go. When feeling down, for example, what are your coping strategies and who are those you allow to be your support group? Do they bring you closer to Allah swt or not?

While her story may not often be a point of reflection during Eid, Sara’s also provides us timeless lessons. Sara, the first wife of Ibrahim (as), joined him when he decided to leave their community after it became clear that his people will not accept his invitation to leave idol worship. As a couple, they were tested when they came to a land of tyrants. They had to pretend to be siblings to save themselves. She was brought to the king and he tried three times to stretch his hand towards her. Every time he tried, however, his hands became tied up (always tighter than the previous attempt) and were only released upon his request that Sara supplicates to her Lord to release the king with the condition that he will not harm her. He finally gave up his desire for her and turned them away from his land while giving Hajar to Sara as a gift (see Sahih Muslim 2371 for exact hadith). As a couple, they were also tested with the lack of children for many years. As a wife, she was tested when Ibrahim (as) was destined to take Hajar as his second wife and they had a child, Ismail. Sara was tested again in old age when they were informed that she was also to have her own child, Ishaq (Isaac).  

Sara’s story also shows us what it means to love someone for the sake of Allah swt. She was there when their community humiliated Ibrahim (as) and decided to throw him into the fire. She stayed with him even if it meant migrating and starting from scratch. She stayed faithful to him even when she could’ve lived a life of material pleasure with a king. Although yes, narrations inform us that she did experience jealousy that is natural for any woman when she couldn’t have a child of her own while Hajar already gave birth to one, the fact that she eventually had a child of her own with Ibrahim (as) years after tells us that she remained with him and submitted to the will of Allah swt. Her story makes us ask ourselves: What is our ultimate goal in marriage? Will the lack of children affect our relationships? How do we show support to our spouses when they are experiencing challenges? How strong is our faith to resist worldly temptations? How forgiving and steadfast are we in marriage? (Note: this last question is raised as a general point of reflection and is not meant in any way to instruct Muslim women to simply and silently accept should a husband decide to take a second, third or fourth wife. There are no longer prophets among us and it is extremely difficult to reach their level of piety, hence, Islamic rules have been established and were made very clear about treating every person, especially in marriage, with justice and mercy. Issues related to polygamy are complex, and require a separate discussion.)

So many lessons and so many questions to ponder on. May we continue to learn about the lives of our prophets, and try our very best to apply the lessons we gain from their lives always for the sake of Allah swt. May we commit these supplications of Ibrahim (as) to memory and include it in our daily conversation with The Almighty:

“Oh, my Lord! Make me one who performs salah (prayer), and also from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.”
Noble Qur’an, Ibrahim (14):40-41

Ameen.

How many times did we actually want to rant or cry when someone asked how we are but we instead gave that default, “I’m okay”? How often have we tried to convince ourselves that we’re doing good when in fact we’re breaking down? How come everyone’s telling us to keep the faith yet it feels like doing so makes us lose it some more? How long are we going to continue like this?

Deep breathe. Is it really bad to open up about how we feel? Are emotions like sadness, fear or anger so ‘wrong’ that sharing them would ruin us? Are they really a sign of a loss of faith? A sign of despair?

Here’s a beautiful verse to ponder on:

This verse relays what happens to Prophet Jacob [Yaqub] (peace be upon him) upon hearing the news that his dear son, Benjamin, did not return from Egypt despite his other sons’ assurance that they will take care of him and will not allow him to meet the same fate as that of Joseph [Yusuf] (peace be upon him). The setting was too similar that he was reminded of his loss of Joseph whom he also entrusted to his sons. The verse also informs us that Jacob lost his sight because of grief. But, wait, it didn’t just inform us of that. It specifically explains that he lost his sight from grief because he was one who suppressed his emotions.

Amazing, don’t you think? Science today confirms what we’ve been told a thousand years ago about the mind-body connection: how our physical symptoms can actually be of mental or emotional origin. It’s most probably psychosomatic, doctors would say of physical illnesses which are idiopathic–i.e, no known medical or physical cause. No known medical or physical cause, they’d conclude, but then we’d be referred to the psychiatric or behavioral sciences department for evaluation.

Perhaps it’s not a loss of eyesight for us (Alhamdulillah!), but back pains or headaches or hypertension or constipation (or worse, the opposite–diarrhea during presentation day!) …the list of possible psychosomatic symptoms goes on, really. This may be a good time to assess if those physical health concerns are of a physiological nature or not.

Moreover, other areas of our lives may also be affected by emotional stress. When we suppress how we feel, how’s our social life? Can we honestly and confidently say our relationship with our loved ones is not affected by work stress–and vice versa? When we suppress how we feel, how’s our mental health? Can we truly see positivity within and around us? When we suppress how we feel, how’s our spiritual life? Can we truly focus on our conversations with Him and reflect this in our daily life? Pause and ponder.

So, reflecting on this verse, we must realize:

1. Life indeed has challenges. We encounter setbacks, and we encounter losses. It’s not always going to be a smooth journey. Pause whenever needed, but continue after these recharging pauses.
2. We can be tested through our relationships. And, we’re not simply talking about the test of losing loved ones, but also the test of having stressful relations with those around us. It often can be with a family member, but this can also include other relationships at work or in the community. Note that in Prophet Jacob’s case, while it was his own sons who caused him to grieve, he still engaged them in finding a solution (i.e, asking them to look for Benjamin and Joseph)–another reminder that engaging those concerned is something for us to consider as an important part of resolving stressful issues. (you may want to read our previous post about dealing with toxic people)
3. We can (and indeed do) get affected by these challenges. And, it doesn’t mean a loss of faith or a sign of weakness. This is the part where it would be nice to remind ourselves that everyone gets tested and that it’s normal to feel extreme emotions during these tests–just like Jacob, a prophet who’s already been gifted with so much patience and faith by The Almighty, but still experienced grief and still experienced psychosomatization.
4. It is okay to talk to a trusted person or a professional helper about how we feel instead of suppressing it to a point that even other areas of our lives are affected. Again, this does not mean we’ve lost faith. Yes, we rely on The Almighty alone for help, but we must understand that His help can also come in the form of someone who’s willing to listen, offer words of comfort and wisdom, and assist us in finding clarity and meaning.

May The Almighty give us the courage and strength to resist the pressure to always show we’re okay though we’re not, and to seek help for ourselves as part of a truly healthy lifestyle.

Ameen.

Boundaries are important for our well-being. However, there are people who do not seem to understand this and trespass–intentionally or not. Sometimes it’s an insensitive comment, and at other times, actual interference in matters that do not concern them. These are just examples. We’re sure you can think of so much more.

How should we deal with people who forget this and leave us stressed with their behavior?

Often, there are those who won’t utter a word, bottle it all up inside, and try their best to endure everything, reminding themselves to “just be patient” or “don’t stoop to his level”. The problem is, these are also the same people who have a higher probability of just suddenly exploding–or at times, imploding. Remember: we all have our limits–and limits are affected by so many other factors, specifically stressors we’re facing. What if they all pile up? What if you suddenly can’t take anymore but you got used to keeping it all to yourself and have forgotten that there is a better way to make things work?

Then, there are also those who’d engage the person in a ‘talk’ right then and there, telling oneself that “if I don’t fight back, I will always be this sore loser.” Perhaps they have a point, but we also know being reactionary–especially when our emotions are high–often makes things worse. “Do not be angry,” the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said.

We see that the extremes won’t work. A balance is needed. The middle way.

Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

And if an evil whisper comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

– Noble Qur’an (Al A’raf) 7:199-200

The above verses from the Qur’an give that perfect balance:

1. Forgive — yes, there’s no point in weighing ourselves down with other people’s actions, replaying what happened again and again in our mind. Remember: the longer we hold on to what they did, the more we are subjecting ourselves to pain.

2. Enjoin what is good — forgive, yes, BUT we should also consider discussing with the person what would make relationships better in a peaceful way. This is especially important when we see the person on a regular basis (a co-worker, for example) and the act that angers us is something that happens repeatedly. Peaceful communication is another topic on its own, but just to give you an idea, it always is best to avoid making use of “You” in our statements. The healthier way is to share how you felt about what the person did: “I felt hurt when you said… maybe it will be best to…”). Of course, when emotions are still heightened, the best is to control our own selves first by following the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Discussing things when we’re at the peak of our emotions and our logical side has been muted will almost always not lead to good results. Once we’ve calmed ourselves down and we feel we are mentally and emotionally prepared to initiate a healthy conversation, let’s do so with the intention of compassionately helping the person see a better way of doing things for the sake of Allah. Let’s also practice what we preach by modelling good behavior ourselves. When discussing alone with the person is not enough, part of enforcing what is good is seeking other people’s help–an elder or a close friend of that person to whom the latter might be more open to listening. But, let’s always check our intention for doing things.

3. Turn away — when we’ve finally done our part but the person refuses to listen or accept, then limit interaction to only what is necessary to protect ourselves from being subjected to unnecessary stress. Patiently forgive, yes, but make sure to distance yourself, too. That’s part of caring for and protecting one’s wellbeing. Remember: “Allah guides whom He wills” and we can only pray that one day the person will change for the better.

4. Seek Allah’s protection to control oneself even more — let’s admit it, after an encounter, a part of us may want to confront the person or talk bad about the person behind his back. Our own egos or satan may lead us to replay the incident again and again in our minds, and before we know it, a whole new story has been written there which makes us angry even more. Let’s not give in to it by asking The Almighty’s help. Take deep breaths and utter a prayer–not just for the other but more importantly for our own selves. After all, we may be weak, but we have an All-Powerful Protector.

May we all find the courage and strength to

Pause, Pardon, and Patiently Persevere on the Straight Path.

Ameen.

Note: This is a general rule as a reflection on the verses mentioned. More serious actions are needed if the toxic behavior legally constitutes harassment or abuse.

Here are some reminders based on the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) on how to support community members–and their families–who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

Speak good or keep silent

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.” [Muslim]

When a neighbor or relative is visited by health officials for testing or confinement, there’s a tendency for some of us to rush into talking with them or their families to know what exactly is happening. While concern for their welfare may be driving us to do this, more often than not there is also our own fear and need to know more about the virus that unknowingly comes along with it. It is important to keep ourselves in check to avoid adding unnecessary stress which can happen when we ask too many questions or even when we rush into making them feel that everything is normal or fine. Remember: Some people need time to fully absorb and process the experience.

Leave that which does not concern you

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Part of a person’s being a good Muslim is leaving alone that which does not concern him.” [Tirmidhi]

While related to the first reminder, this particularly reminds us to respect the decisions made by the patients and their families. Sometimes, especially when we feel close to the patient, we feel entitled to speak our mind or to feel hurt if we were not among those with whom they shared the news. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you consult your uncle? I don’t understand how everyone seems to know it but us. Why did you choose that hospital? This should not be the case. As long as they communicate with the concerned agencies and take the necessary precautions, that should be enough for us. In fact, our main concern should be that they get through this ordeal successfully. Remember: The news can really come as a shock that they didn’t even have enough time to think of what to do or who else to contact.

Make the quarantine easier for them

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever helps ease one in difficulty, Allah will make it easy for him in this world and in the Hereafter.” [Muslim]

This is a perfect time to show our love and support for one another while gaining the pleasure of The Almighty. Imagine if both parents test positive and their children are left at home to observe the quarantine. Similarly, imagine if an adult son had to be taken to the hospital while the elderly parent is left alone at home. While we cannot be there to comfort them during these stressful times given the need for social distancing, there are still many ways to show support. Write them letters while sending some food. Call them up and check on them from time to time. Let them know that you are here for them and that they can contact you if ever they need assistance. The list can go on. We all know how comforting it feels to have someone there for us during our struggles. Let’s pay it forward, shall we?

These are just some of the many reminders on how to be kind, especially during times that test our patience and faith. May we all internalize and actualize them to make things easier for one another, always for the sake of Allah.

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