Interpreting Fasting in the Middle of the Pandemic

Ramadhan 1441 H is lived by Muslims around the world in a somber atmosphere. All of this is the result of the Covid-19 pandemic that hit various countries, including Muslim countries. Even the most sacred and holiest mosques for Muslims, the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, were briefly closed to the public to prevent the spread of Corona.

Fasting is actually a worship to refrain. During fasting, we are trained to refrain from the desire to eat delicious food and other things that are forbidden. The hope is that we will also be able to refrain from doing things that are not important in this life that interfere with our efforts to reach the pleasure of Allah. In fact, our success in the world is also determined by our ability to postpone consumption today to be replaced in the future with greater results. Many suggestions for the prevention of Covid-19 are reflected in fasting. We are asked to refrain from leaving the house except for business that is not needed. We need to refrain from reducing consumption beyond what is needed because we do not know how long the pandemic will end.

We are asked to be clean and healthy because fasting also teaches a healthy lifestyle. Fasting has been identified with eating delicious when breaking the fast. A full month's food menu is made more special compared to days outside fasting. Not surprisingly, prices for consumer goods have risen and the volume of waste has increased. While on the other hand, productivity decreases. Fasting has become a time for producers to promote various products and services. We realize that fasting will soon arrive when on TV a syrup ad appears several months earlier. When the train ticket booking fray had begun two months earlier. When malls and shopping centers begin to make up themselves to welcome consumers. This situation is certainly the opposite of the substance of fasting to hold back and empathize with people who have difficulty meeting their basic needs. Fasting has been celebrated by increasing consumption and leisure. To satisfy these infinite desires, we exploit nature without calculation. Forests are cut down, the earth is scooped up, the sea is polluted. All these things cause the natural balance of nature to be disturbed. Rich groups form their own clusters to maintain their luxurious lifestyles, while the poor become victims because of this natural imbalance. Until finally, a disease emerged that did not care about social class. Indiscriminately whether the country is rich or poor. This is a message that we should ponder.

Fasting this time invites us to recall that there is a higher power compared to the progress of science and technology. We again realize the powerlessness as humans with the threat of disease and death that can come at any time. Recall that it turns out that we have exploited nature without limits for the desires that are not important while the environment is damaged. This reflection should be used to organize a new vision of life that is more substantial for us as individuals and for policy makers such as the government to be more fair in managing the country's wealth and wiser in utilizing natural resources with an environmental sustainability approach. Indeed, our behavior determines the destiny we live. There are many things that we as humans can control to reach our destiny. We assume roles in accordance with our human capacity, not by surrendering everything to God on the grounds of worshiping him. When we maintain social distancing, it reduces the risk of contracting and transmitting Covid-19 to others. This is also part of us determining the destiny we will live.

Covid-19 has also recalled the importance of cooperation because humans are actually social creatures. Lately we have glorified individualism as a source of progress in human civilization. Acting on our own behalf we are a threat to many others. In such a situation, the muzakki are obliged to immediately pay zakat, and add it to donations and alms. Today there are so many people who have lost their jobs that they really need help to make ends meet. By working together, the burden becomes lighter. This Ramadhan is the time for us to reflect more deeply, more comprehensively, and more substantively on our journey as a person or the development of human civilization that has been motivated by hedonism and consumerism. It's time to go back to looking for our human identity that may have been forgotten because of the busy work that is so demanding or because things that really are not important like games and social media that are now our daily lives. Staying at home is actually a rare opportunity that we always craved for. This is a time to reflect on our relationship with God. This is our time to evaluate our life journey. And Ramadan is the best month to live it. Do not let this golden opportunity pass in vain. (Achmad Mukafi Niam)

Source: https://www.nu.or.id/