“Stay at Home” is being repeated every day on the television and the social media. It is not only a tagline but also one of the current efforts being made by all parties to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak from spreading further.

Therefore, this effort must be accompanied by DU’A and TAWAKKAL to Allah SWT because we as Muslims must believe that everything comes from Allah SWT and only to him will every affair be returned to.

Allah SWT decreed in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 186: “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.”
Next, our effort and prayers should go along with tawakkal to Allah SWT or in other words, to surrender ourselves completely to Allah SWT. Allah SWT says in Surah Ali Imran verse 159: “And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].”

Also, in Surah Al-Talaq verse 3 Allah SWT says:  “And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.”

As the conclusion, let us reflect on the decree of Allah SWT in Surah Yusuf verse 87 so that we will remain high-spirited in our efforts, patience, and in improving ourselves during this time of tribulation.

Allah SWT said: “O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.”

Hopefully with Allah SWT’s blessing, this pandemic will pass and we will be able to observe our fast in a more peaceful and diligent manner. The month of Sya’ban is the month of preparation before meeting the month of Ramadan. Use the available spare time to ready ourselves so that Ramadhan this year will be better than the last for all of us.