Muslims reflect on scripture for strength, compassion and generosity during pandemic

The month of Ramadan, which started on April 24 this year, ended on May 23. During this month, fasting Muslims all over the world abstained from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. In years past, entire families would gather to break their fast at sunset and share a meal. Relatives and friends would often host each other during this time, which is synonymous with familial and communal closeness.

This year’s Ramadan has been very difficult for Muslims, who had to adapt to a different reality. Many would even advance that this Ramadan was without its particular flavor. The reason is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting health crisis. Due to social distancing and confinement, families and friends have been physically separated. To ease the separation and to cope with loneliness, many relied on the old-fashioned telephone or used advanced video apps to keep in touch with relatives and friends.

For many Muslim families, the hardships of Ramadan were not just due to physical separation of loved ones. All over the world, the pandemic has seriously disrupted the way of life for countless families whose members lost their jobs and joined the unemployment line. These challenging times are stressing families. Many people find themselves riding a wave of different emotions.

Perhaps you have felt scared that you or your family members might become sick, or worse. Or you felt afraid that you were going to lose your job or go through your savings. Or you felt paralyzed in making some tough decisions. Or you felt hopeless that you will be stuck in this current situation for the foreseeable future, and worried that things may never return to the comfortable normal you once knew.

Everyone, including myself, has experienced at least one of these things. We do the best we can to cope with the challenges of life, but we tend to react differently. Some react positively to the stress and some negatively. The gamut of reaction that follows a prolonged stressful situation can cover the good, the bad and the ugly. All we have to do is turn on the news to witness the best of humanity or the worst.

When Muslims read the Quran during this blessed month, they feel an unparalleled closeness with God, as if he was talking to them. To cope with my anxiety and stress during Ramadan, I reflected on verses from the Quran that gave me the strength to deal with my negative emotions.

In Chapter 2, we read in Verse 155: “And we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” This verse summarizes perfectly the current situation, where all of humanity is severely being tested at once. The remedy for this trial is patience, and we are urged to be patient during these dark times.

In Chapter 96, Verses 5-6, we read: “For indeed, after hardship there will be ease. Indeed, after hardship, there will be ease.” These identical verses, twice repeated, bring solace to anyone doubting whether or not things will ever improve and go back to normal.

In Chapter 2, Verse 186, we read: “And when my faithful ask you concerning me, indeed I am near, I respond to the invocation of the supplicants when they call upon me.” This verse reminds us that God is always with us, under confinement or not. If you feel alone during this month, realize that you are in no better company than being with God.

Even though life has been difficult for families affected by the coronavirus in Boise and Idaho, let us also remember the people in conflict zones who will be marking this time with war and the added insecurity of this virus.

I pray for a global cease-fire around the globe to allow all people to focus on the fight against the coronavirus. Muslims are obliged to seek peace if the other warring party seeks the same, as ordained in Verse 8:61, where we read: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it.”

I also pray for all people of goodwill, of any and all faiths, to support those fleeing conflict in the best traditions of hospitality and generosity — when so many doors have been closed to those in need of protection.

Whatever holy book you read, I hope that we can all treat each other with compassion and patience during this pandemic. That is ultimately what Ramadan tries to teach Muslims during not only this special month, but year-round.