Today we have completed one week of official lockdown in NZ, the lockdown didn’t make any difference to our lives since we were practicing social distancing ever since we got to know that the deadly virus has reached Wellington too. So technically, we are nearing 2 weeks of quarantine life. In these 2 weeks HI went out only 2 times to get essential grocery items.

My First Reactions & Views

Upon hearing the news, my first reactions (naturally like a concerned mother and wife) were: FEAR and ANXIETY (I felt the same when I heard the news that Pakistan has made it to the list of infected countries). We had a planned lunch gathering at our place with some friends since a month ago for the following weekend, we postponed it irrespective of the fact that it wasn’t a big one. Not because our guests were unhygienic or something but for the reason that we were concerned about the health of our and our friends’ families. All of us would’ve experienced similar feelings at some point in our journey of preventing/fighting COVID-19. Right?

We have been absorbing and processing a lot of information through the internet, social media, news, friends and family. What we aren’t doing is taking a step back and realizing what’s happening? why is it befalling? and what we could/should do in order to come victorious out of it?. We are constantly receiving and forwarding information through our cell phones all the time, literally every second that too without even contemplating it.

I have been very busy these days, everyone is home all the time; rest you can understand yourself. I seriously don’t get why people are feeling bored. Many of you would say that I am a married woman hence the feeling but even if you are not then you can always have something (productive) to do with your time only if you consider. Anyways, we’ll talk about it some other time.

What I feel now & Why?

Two weeks into isolation and pondering (a little) I can say that the feelings I know now are: HOPE and RELAXATION. Seeking help from verses from Quran and Hadiths made my fear turned into hope and anxiety into relaxation.  

These are so basic, we have been hearing to these/ reading these since forever but we were unable to relate. Trust me I found all of them very relatable in today’s scenario (they are actually, in every situation). They helped me in easing my worries. Let’s go through them one by one:

• Only Allah is the biggest planner:

Surah Anfal [8:30] But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

• Allah knows what’s best for us:

Surah Baqarah [2:216] But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not. 

• Difficulty and ease comes from Allah and with every hardship , comes relief:

Surah Ash-sharh [94:6] Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.
Allah has reassured this with multiple verses in Quran.

• Allah is the biggest healer:

Surah Ash- shu’ara [26:80] And when I am ill, it is He who cures me

• This world is temporary:

Surah Ghafir [40:39] O my people, this worldly life is only [temporary] enjoyment, and indeed, the Hereafter - that is the home of [permanent] settlement.

• Allah puts everyone on trial and rewards the one who is patient:

Surah Baqarah [2:155] 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.

• Cleanliness is half of faith:

That’s what Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said. This is best time to understand the implications behind this hadith, subhan Allah.

While there would be thousands of more reassuring verses, I am able to share the above mentioned only on the basis of my limited knowledge.

My Perspective

Nevertheless, the current situation has led me to the following views:

• Normal is ‘Perfect’: We all love our regular/usual/common lives. No matter how much do we complain but that’s the PERFECT setting we would like to live in.
• Charity begins at home: Many of us think that what good our staying at home would do the society. Everybody else is out and about. Well, It’s not the time to copy the ones who are behaving carelessly, rather set an example yourself. Do your bit and leave the rest on Allah.
  Remember that by staying at home not only you are keeping yourself safe but also assisting the essential services workers – by not becoming the source of spreading the virus.
• United we stand Divided we fall: THIS!! my friends we need to understand at this crucial stage. We need to stay away from each other unitedly in order to defeat the virus. Remember the tale of ‘The father, sons and Bundle of Sticks’ from childhood? Be United!! (We in Wellington are strictly following this rule)
• We are so blessed in every possible way we can think of. Our pantries full of food, we are being urged to remain in our bubble with our families and loved ones, we are able to work from home, we are still earning and enjoying delicious meals while browsing internet and watching Netflix. What else do we need? Think about the ones working in essential services like medicine, law enforcement, supermarkets etc. Those are the ones who are still going out endangering their lives for us. Be kind to them by behaving responsibly, please help them by staying home – staying safe.

   Surah Rahman [55:13] So which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?

• Seek forgiveness from Allah: This is the best we could do at this critical time, only Allah can help us out. Astaghfar all the way peeps.
• Make this difficult time a blessing rather than a curse: if a difficulty guides you towards Allah then it’s a blessing and if it turns you away from him then it’s a curse. So we should try and make the most of the circumstances by making it a means of blessing for us all. May Allah help us all. Aamin
• Trust Allah, This too shall pass inshaa Allah: Hang in there fella but trust (tawakkal) with precautions. I hope you remember the Hadith regarding ‘tying your camel first then trust Allah’.  
• Don’t lose hope, stay positive – Everything happens for a reason: While we are staying at home and trying to stay safe. Negativity, depression and distressing thoughts are the things we need to stay away from. We should never feel hopeless from Allah’s mercy.
• We still don’t know how to wash our hands properly! 😀

A lot of the stated points have been repeated gazillion times on so many platforms and what I am about to write is, too. You know why? Because emphasizing on this is the need of the hour.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

BE KIND – STAY HOME – STAY SAFE – ACT RESPONSIBLY