Ramadan During COVID-19

As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmatu -llāhi wa-barakātuhū. A very blessed and safe Ramadan to you and your families.

We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has participated in the development and launch of fountainpath.com as well as all those who have so enthusiastically registered and continue to join each day.

The current physical distancing guidelines implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19 have created a greater need for online Islamic resources. Fountain Path Inc. joins a growing number of organizations using online platforms to serve the spiritual, educational and social needs of the Muslim community of the Greater Toronto Area.

“You are the best nation brought forth for mankind. You enjoin that which is good, and forbid that which is evil, and believe in God.” Qur'an:3:110

Socially responsible behaviour during pandemics is cardinal in Islam. There are a great many instances in the prophetic tradition that explicitly outline disease control protocols as well as their spiritual and ethical merits in the sight of God.

Regarding social distancing and quarantine during pandemics, Our lady Aisha, God be well pleased with her, reported that the Messenger of God, blessing and salutation be upon him, said: "There is not a person who: [1] encounters a pandemic;

[2] resides in his or her home patiently and responsibly; [3] whilst realizing that nothing afflicts him or her besides what God has decreed; except that he or she shall have a reward similar to that of a martyr." [Musnad Ahmad]

'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf, God be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of God, blessing and salutation be upon him, said: “[1] If you hear of it (a pandemic) in a particular land, then do not proceed towards it; and [2] if it befalls a land whilst you are in it, then do not depart in fleeing it.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī]

Accordingly, we want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone in the Muslim community to comply with the directives of the local, provincial, and territorial public health authorities with regards to social distancing and restrictions on mass gatherings. We likewise want to strongly discourage our community members from using this time to host small gatherings in their places of residence until such a time as it is deemed safe to do so.

This is a time in which we're proud to be Canadian. The efforts of the political leadership, at every level of government, has been exemplary and warrants our active support. For more information on Canada’s response to COVID-19, including awareness resources and guidance documents, visit canada.ca/coronavirus.

Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives to this pandemic, and our prayers go out to those currently fighting for their lives. We also pray daily for the women and men on the front lines of this battle with COVID-19 who bravely risk their lives each day for the wellbeing and welfare of others.

We would also like to express our profound sympathy and solicitude for the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the senseless attack in rural Nova Scotia and the community of Portapique. We pray they find serenity and patience to bear this doubly grievous loss. Our hearts also go out to those who lost a hero in the line of duty; Constable Heidi Stevenson, Regimental #45161, her community both at home and at the RCMP. She will be remembered with love.

Although the blessed month of Ramadan is typically a time of communal gathering and congregational prayers; nevertheless, it is also a time of Iʿtikāf, meditative spiritual retreat and prayerful isolation. We pray that this Ramadan will be filled with devotion, love and charity towards those in need insha'Allah.

Imam M. Mahmoud. FOUNTAIN PATH INC. © April, 2020

Ramadan During COVID-19.pdf

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