"Ramadhan Tiba, Ramadhan Tiba, Marhaban ya Ramadhan, Marhaban ya Ramadhan" is a famous song, sung by one of the famous Indonesian religious singers that always on the radio every time the holy month of Ramadhan arrives. If you have heard of this song before, then you are familiar with the term Ramadhan; the holiest month for Muslims all around the world. Ramadhan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and during this month, Muslims all around the world perform fasting as a purification of the hearts, minds, and souls. Muslims who refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise until sunset, also are encouraged to do kindness as well as worship Allah. It is also common for Muslims to perform nightly prayers called Tarawih at the mosque every night in Ramadhan. But why is this month important for the Muslims, you might ask?

 

Ramadhan is the month where the holy Quran is revealed to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the night of Qadr or known as the night of decree or power also occurs in the holy month. The night of Qadr is significant and special to the Muslims as it is said that the night worth more than a thousand months. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “whoever spends this night in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward will be forgiven his previous sins,” narrated by al-Bukhaari,1901; Muslim, 706. The exact date of the night has always been unknown though the Prophet himself revealed that the night falls within the last ten nights of Ramadhan. However, many believe that during the unknown date of the night, Allah granted to his believers' many rewards.

 

However, as it is now our second year of Ramadhan under the ominous shadow of Covid-19, it is time to acknowledge that we are no longer able to enjoy the typically festive month as we always did. Now, we have restrictions to abide by and responsibilities to fulfill. However, that does not mean that we have to hold back from making the most out of this holy month. Here are two ways to celebrate Ramadhan while keeping ourselves safe. Firstly, by maintaining physical distancing. As Ramadhan bazaars and mosques are full of people, it is necessary to keep our distance at all times. Maybe, even avoid it altogether. 

 

After all, performing tarawih prayers at home with our families is no less than praying together in the masjid. And safer too! However, if you can't resist the temptation of jamaah prayer, make sure to wear your masks and follow all SOPs. Secondly, by avoiding gatherings. Yes, Ramadhan is for family times where everyone gets together and sits for a meal. However, as we should steer clear of crowds, now is not the appropriate time for that. Instead, you could opt for virtual iftars and suhoors, where we can be still intimate without suffering from any consequences. That's why, even if this Ramadhan is a little different from what we're used to, do not let it relinquish you from thriving for the benefits of Ramadhan. 

 

All in all, Ramadhan is still the month of sacrality and blessings. It is the month where all Muslims share a sense of purpose, togetherness, and generosity. Despite a few differences here and there, the bestowed rewards and blessings we received are the same. Even with restrictions in some ways or others, the spirit of Ramadhan is unyielding. Therefore, we, Muslims, need to make the most out of it. Sure, keeping a distance from each other is painful. However, it is important to remember, with or without Covid-19, the essence and holiness of Ramadhan remain the same. As we enter Ramadhan to better ourselves, we need to make full use of the situation to focus on the relationships with Allah instead. It might feel a little underwhelming, but the fundamentals of it are still very much the same. So, stay safe and Ramadhan Kareem!