Zeenat Shams
Ramadan, the holiest month of Muslims, is beginning from the next 24 or 25 April. Although around 180 crore Muslims around the world have been preparing for Ramadan very vigorously, but this time it is not so. The world is currently under the grip of corona virus. This virus, originated from Wuhan, the ground zeero city of China, has attacked more than 2.4 million people all over the world and more than 1.5 lakh people have lost their lives so far due to this epidemic.
Due to the spread of this virus, almost all the countries of the world have to declare lockdown. Lockdown covers the world and imprisons them in their homes. All kinds of restrictions have been imposed in which traveling, organizing social functions, prohibiting any work in which people gather.
Ramadan is a month in which everything happens collectively, whether it is Iftar, Sehari or Taraweeh. That is why people who live in other countries or cities away from their homes, also take a leave in Ramadan and come to their home and celebrate this month with their family. Of course this year it is not possible because there is no collective prayers in mosques due to lockdown. The prayer of Juma is already suspended. People are being forbidden to do Iftar or Sehri together even at homes. Appeals are being issued by the religious leaders to the people of the Muslim community in this regard. The country’s Minority Welfare Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has also appealed to Muslims to strictly follow the rules of lockdown during the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a month in which the financially prosperous Muslims withdraws zakat, which helps the poor families. Apart from this, clothes and food etc. are also distributed to the poor families so that the poor people can also celebrate the festival of Eid happily. Zakat is an Islamic tax which Muslims have to pay according to their wealth. But this time the problem is that business is closed due to lockdown, economically slowdown was already going on in the country. Now, it will be a matter of how many resourceful Muslims will be able to withdraw Zakat. Apart from this, people who want to provide zakat money to the poor, how can they reach those poor without breaking the lockdown rules, is a big question.
One more thing, due to the corona epidemic, there is a question in the mind of the people that there will be no harm due to fasting. The sick people who used to keep fast after taking advice from the doctor, how should they consult the doctors. There is a lot of talk about this on social media. The Al Azhar Fatwa Center has said that there is no risk of Corona virus attack by keep fasting. This fatwa is based on WHO guidelines, in which the world’s largest health organization has said that gargling and drinking water has no relation to the spread of corona virus.
So you guys should stay at your homes and fast. Spend time in prayer and pray to Almighty Allah to save the world from this epidemic. Also, follow the rules of lockdown. Keep distance from each other’s body but not from your heart. InshAllah corona epidemic must end and we will all celebrate the next Ramadan together as before. Ameen
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