QURAN GEMS Things Left in the Past

Isra Iqbal, 19

Life before COVID-19 is just a memory and the only thing I can do is reminisce. Before, I used to see my friends and family almost every week. I used to go shopping with my sister and I would dine out often with my loved ones. Now, I see their texts and the clothes I want come at my doorstep. I use Uber Eats to order whatever I want, sit alone, and enjoy the meal I paid too much for.

COVID-19 has changed the world forever. Many optimistically believe this change will be temporary, but I believe that some changes are permanent. Not to say that this virus will be permanent; rather, the way COVID-19 has changed our lives and the structure of society will have irreversible effects.

When I look back, I lost valuable time that I will not have again. A void of loneliness and sadness ate away at me and I gave into despair. However, someone once told me to find happiness in the little things. This motivated me to fill the dark void that consumed me. There is a hadith that goes,

“Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.” (Sahih Muslim, 2999)

This hadith helped me out of despair. It taught me to be patient during difficult times and to have faith in Allah because, for those who do so, good will come their way and they will achieve peace. Now, I create a sense of purpose and try to make the most of every day because every second is valuable. Instead of thinking about the fun adventures my friends and I used to have, I call them and we talk about our new adventures after COVID-19. I learned to make the meals I used to eat when dining out and, that way, I’m not draining my bank account. Even though I can’t eat with friends or family, I deliver food to their houses, with proper social distancing measures, of course!

These changes are slowly starting to fill the void of loneliness and replace the darkness with light. Life as we know it may not change back to the previous normal, according to how we interact with others or regarding the social ‘norms’ of society. However, we can make the best out of the current situation and have hope that one day these unusual circumstances will be over.

Hamza Shahid, 19