Covid, Isolation, and Half-Term

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

It’s Saturday 24th October 2020.

My chosen topic today is ‘Covid, Isolation and Half-Term’.

We all find ourselves in unprecedented circumstances. The word ‘Covid‘ became the buzz word since March. Now, the buzz word seems to be ‘Isolation’. When we call someone to check up on them, more likely than not, at least one family member will be isolating. In many households it is children that are isolating; both children and adults in others.

The question to ask ourselves is ‘what are we doing during our isolation period?’. Most probably the person isolating has now got a free hand with a social media gadget. I have touched upon the harms and effects of social media in a number of my previous posts.

With the half term holidays commencing, it is absolutely crucial that we value our time, especially during our isolation period. To make life easy, set up a moderate 24 hour routine in your house. Each and every person, who is now at home and not working, has to follow the routine.

However you set your routine, do ensure that you have at least three 2-hour sessions during the day when all gadgets are put to one side. In those sessions, listen to the Tafsīr of the Holy Qur’ān and the Beautiful Sīrah of The Holy Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ‎, especially as it is the blessed month of Rabī’ ul-Awwal.

Spend time talking about family history, family values, family relationships, etc. All should take part; no one is exempt.

The parents and elders within the household have got to take back some form of control. That will only be possible if they, first and foremost, take action and follow the set routine. Your children will not like it; even the youngest are wedded in their gadgets. However, it doesn’t matter. Be firm, but be firm nicely.

As parents, you are entitled to set the boundaries, and all must obey. Make sure all the Ṣalāhs are offered on time, with Jamā’ah for the males and boys above 7. Have a collective Qur’ān praying session.

As our elders within the Tabligh Jamā’ah say, ‘turn your holidays into holy days’. You do not have to be too serious with your children; play games with them, and plan activities which will keep everyone’s mind occupied. Remember, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.

Finally, set a time when every single family member has to go to sleep. All gadgets should be left at one place downstairs, in the living room. Don’t fall for the alarm clock excuse. Buy an alarm clock but do not use your mobile for that purpose. The alarm will only go off once, but you will end up with your mobile until late into the night or even early morning and most probably will check it every time you wake up during the night.

Stop this habit and stop it now. This mobile has wrecked many lives. Let it not ruin yours.

Almighty Allāh bless us all with the true understanding of the value of time, especially in these unprecedented times, Āmeen.

جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
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وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala