Ramadan is about to begin and it’s pretty clear that the whole of the holy month will be spent against the backdrop of the nearly worldwide lockdown. This means no tarawih (extra evening prayers at the mosque), no Iftars with family and friends, no ghabghas (evening social gatherings) no Friday prayers and no Eid – all the things that make Ramadan, Ramadan.
I guess for some people this might not be the best Ramadan ever, they will struggle to feel the spirit of the month, that is usually very much present in Qatar. They may drag themselves through the month begrudgingly and simply wait for it to end.
Then on the other hand there will be a group of people who will find this to be the best Ramadan ever. Maybe they will discover the beauty of worshipping our creator in seclusion and privacy. They will find joy in reciting the Holy Qur’an and the peace and serenity that long hours of prostrating before the Merciful in the darkest hours of the night bring. They may come to the realisation that although the cultural and social aspects of Ramadan are fun and make us feel like a community they can often come at the cost of spiritual development.
I will definitely miss going to the mosque with my friends, I will miss the nightly gatherings but that definitely will not stop me from making this the best Ramadan for myself Insha’Allah.
Our current situation has held up a magnifying glass to all our blessings, I know the real meaning of gratitude and it transcends people and places. There is no need for crowds and congregations from Ramadan; all you need is a grateful humble heart. I wish you all a blessed and beautiful Ramadan.


* The author is a consultant and coach. Instagram handle: @miss_shefa,  Website: missshefa.com