Ramadhan in Pandemic – What Muslims Should Do?

Since the Ramadhan, this year’s fall between 24 April to 25 May, Muslims around the world have to deal with this situation. The government bans every activity that usually only happens during Ramadhan such as Tarawih prayers in the mosque, iftar out of home, and Ied Fitri prayers.

For Muslims, this is like a brokenhearted feeling for spending Ramadhan this year. The big deal about Ramadhan culture in Indonesia is Mudik. It’s been decided that Mudik also bans by the government. This excruciating to see this situation right now, we should aware that being at the social group means the high risk for the COVID-19’s spread.

So, what should we do during Ramadhan in the middle of the Corona Virus pandemic without losing the good deeds? Here we have some tips for you on how to collect good deeds in Ramadhan.

1.Prayer in Home

Whether in the mosque or not, prayer can be held everywhere includes the Tarawih prayer. You can do that with your family members. Tarawih prayer is sunnah to do and five prayers are obligatory. Islam does not difficultly implement prayers. Just like writing on the Quran surah Al Baqarah verse 110

وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ ۗ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوْا لِاَنْفُسِكُمْ مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوْهُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِيْرٌ – ١١٠

“And perform prayers and pay zakat. And all the good that you do for yourself, you will get it (reward) in the sight of Allah. Truly, Allah is Seeing what you do.”

The line of “Allah is Seeing what you” do is enough for us to believe Him in faith that we can do prayer everywhere. So, there is no need to worry about it. 

2. Read the Quran and Understanding the Meaning

Being in quarantine does not mean you can’t do the Itikaf or another good deed. Reading the Quran and understanding the meaning is important so that you will now Islam better.

The implementation of the Quran in importance to do. that is why there will be unwasteful to you if you understand the meaning of the Quran. In the Quran, surah AL A’raf verse 179 says that:

وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيْرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْاِنْسِۖ لَهُمْ قُلُوْبٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُوْنَ بِهَاۖ وَلَهُمْ اَعْيُنٌ لَّا يُبْصِرُوْنَ بِهَاۖ وَلَهُمْ اٰذَانٌ لَّا يَسْمَعُوْنَ بِهَاۗ اُولٰۤىِٕكَ كَالْاَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ اَضَلُّ ۗ اُولٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ الْغٰفِلُوْنَ – ١٧٩

“And indeed we made it for the contents of Hell Jahannam mostly of jinn and men, they have hearts, but they are not used to understand (the verses of Allah) and they have eyes (but) they are not used to see (signs of God’s power), and they have ears (but) they do not use to hear (the verses of Allah). They are like cattle, they are even more astray. They are people who are negligent. ”

3. Itikaf in Home

Commonly Muslims do Itikaf in the last ten days of the end of Ramadhan. Itikaf is the way you remembrance Allah for all of The blessings you receive. While at home, you can be more focused to do Itikaf so we knew some benefits of being grateful.

Take the member of the family to do Itikaf only in the home too so that the good deeds spread around the family instead of bad deeds in Ramadhan.

In the Quran surah Al Baqarah verse 152, says that:

فَاذْكُرُوْنِيْٓ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِيْ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوْنِ ࣖ – ١٥٢

“So Remember Me, I shall remember you. Be thankful to Me, and do not renege on Me.”

That means, that we can remembrance Allah everywhere not only in the mosque. Allah has always Seeing us and Knowing whatever we do. So, it is better to do a good thing by staying at home rather than going to the mosque cause a high risk of the Coronavirus spreads.

4. Charity from Home

Ramadhan’s moment is symbolized by the charity moment. But, what we have to do while we are supposed to be at home? You can start with your neighborhood such as helping elders to manage during Ramadhan.

Maximize the online app! Now, there are so many online apps to send or order food. You can try one of them, and send them to whoever you want to help.

On the other hand, you can donate to a trusted charity agency based on the government or the credible private agent. Let the expert distribute your donation. May Allah gave them His Blessing in helping you. In the Quran surah, Ali Imran verse 92 says that:

لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتّٰى تُنْفِقُوْا مِمَّا تُحِبُّوْنَ ۗوَمَا تُنْفِقُوْا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِهٖ عَلِيْمٌ – ٩٢

“You will never attain righteousness until you spend (give your treasure) from that which you love. And whatever you spend (give), indeed Allah is Knowing of it.”

The last line is saying that Allah is Knowing of whatever you spend. So that it is better to spend in a good way to help each other moreover during this Coronavirus pandemic. We have no idea if people outside still get proper food, that is why we need to share.

5. Optimize the Vid-Call Apps

If you worried about not have a Mudik time during Ramadhan, some vid-call apps will help you the most. The internet usage in Islam perspective can help you a lot. You can use Skype, Zoom, or other video call apps. These apps are also useful for replacing the gathering during Ramadhan or after Ramadhan such as Halal-Bihalal time.

As we live in modern technology we should have less worry about being quarantine during the Coronavirus pandemic. We can do so many things with technology without making anybody harmful.

Instead of complaining, during Ramadhan being at home gives you a lot of things Muslims should do during the pandemic. I hope these five tips above are helpful for you