Wajeeha Bilal
Unlike physical wounds, the countless effects of war on the soul are
unaddressed. There is a new form of battle, so there is a new kind of abrasion
as well.A threat can be in the neighbour one minute or be in the kitchen
speaking to a child, the next. War and home is becoming more intertwined and
more complicated; both closer together and further apart. The unseen damage of
the unknown, brings a common sacrifice of human happiness for it is clear by now
that the fear of the virus surpasses the emotional dependence on our traditions.
Everyone faces the challenges of the pandemic at equal rates.The global battle
of the corona virus that first emerged in the city of Wuhan is, without
question, something very much like war. Various world leaders have stated that
we are at war with an invisible enemy that is not invincible.
The WHO has stressedregardingCovid-19,that the pandemic could aggravate in the
Africa and the Middle East during Ramadan.The daily news of rising cases and
severe restrictions limit the freedom with which the fasts and prayers were
usually practiced.Muslims in Pakistan and around the world happen to be
experiencing a second Ramadan along with the effects of a pandemic that haunt
the observers with daily efflux. This year anotherRamadan started in majority of
the Muslim countries with a mutual fraternity of Muslims, who get together with
their family and friends mostly to break their fast and enjoy the emotional
connections of their rituals. But apprehensions and worries about the virus that
have resulted in severe lock downs imply that Muslims will not be able to share
their fraternal traditions in the usual ways.
The gap in the family unit, the loss of a loved one; they say it gets better
with time as everything heals. The war would be over but not for the living who
had experienced death of their happiness in one form or another.World War I and
II changed the political alignment and social structure of the globe. A new
world was bound to evolve yet even after two great wars the world suffered at
the hands of the empowered. United Nations was established for international
co-operation and prevent future conflicts, but the influence of great powers
waned, triggering rivalry between Superpowers.After the confrontations have
closed, after the speeches have been given, the smoke dies down, and the danger
moves from the outside to inside; the war continues to ring in the souls and
thoughts of those who experienced it. They relive it many times yet dying inside
every time the thoughts recur.
There is a dark thump in the soul, an emotional, spiritual blaze that not only
burns away all naivety, but also modifies one's identity. There was a time when
fasting and Ramadan left an endeared feeling with much more social gatherings
and celebrations, but people are now once again dreading the consequences of the
viral war.
Meeting for iftar and helping in social events for feeding the needy was a
feeling of utter joy and the social reason to observe a long fast, yet the
prevalence of this global war is making it more difficult to find peace in
solitude or social services. Modern war is not simply more deadly, it is also
more confusing and spirit-thumping. The enemy could be anywhere or could be
anyone at any time. A public hall or a parking lot can become a war zone simply
because of an unanticipated encounter. The daily movements tend to threaten the
souls and make peace at home brittle.
The end of Ramadan is usually characterized with a festive observance of
Eid-ul-Fitr. It is celebrated by Muslims all over the world by collective
morning prayers and commencing feasts and meetings with their friends and
family. With the virus maturing through its third wave, religious celebrations
are globally put under check and control. In the current war it can be
impossible to distinguish the victims from the ordinary when the fear of the
unknown keeps resurfacing to haunt the hopes of the survivors.
This daily war with the uncertainty of living in fear is bound to change our
perspective about personal and social happiness. It comes with realizing and
appreciating the Blessings that were once taken for granted. No doubt Ramadan, a
month that has been blessed for the Muslims in numerous ways, brings together
the Ummah once again in times of crisis. Though the feeling of isolation and
social distancing is depressing and lonesome, yet none of us is truly alone.
Across the globe we are joined in a fraternity from dawn till dusk, praying for
the virus to end in some way and hoping for a world where we never have to
experience such deadly wounds ever again. Desperate times require dire losses
but that does not mean the sacrifice of our souls. The path to healing the human
wound lies in our collective hopes and prayers where we take precautions despite
our wishes to meet and celebrate. The month that teaches patience and
self-control is a true testament of the full emotional and spiritual development
through these invisible wounds. This life and every battle that we fight is a
journey of guidance. It is a journey to overcoming disillusionment and restoring
our sense of purpose and connection. Lives will transform if we take a deep look
at the universal reality that we choose to ignore otherwise. Even though the
global pandemic has pushed us apart in distance, in many ways it has brought us
closer together in understanding the power of our brotherhood and unity.
(The writer has authored“The Conscious Ego” and“The Beautiful Present”.She also
runs“a purposeful life” blog)