In the name of Allah, the most Gracious and the most Merciful.
We at Salams prioritize the safety of our users online first and foremost, however, with the current COVID-19 outbreak we want to make sure our users stay safe offline as well. We know that it may be scary and worrisome times for many, however, trust in Allah and take the proper precautions to keep yourself and others safe. So what are some things you can do to stay safe?
You may also be asking why the term “social distancing” and “flattening the curve” is showing up everywhere in the media. What does it mean and why is it important?
The term social distancing is the idea of keeping a distance between others. The standard rule is to keep at least six feet away from people to lessen your chances of catching COVID-19. Social distancing plays a key role in keeping COVID-19 contained.
When seeing the phrase “flattening the curve” this is crucial specifically for our brave individuals working in the medical field and at hospitals. The idea is that a large number of people becoming sick in a short period of time can cause a disaster at the hospital or care facility. Too many people becoming severely ill with COVID-19 can result in a shortage of hospital beds and doctors. If this was to be represented on a graph, a sudden surge in patients in a very short time can be represented as a tall, narrow curve.
However, if social distancing can be implemented then less patients would get sick leading to less patients rushing to the hospital. If this happens it allows hospitals to handle patients and cases more effectively and ensures that beds and doctors will be able to handle the flow. And that is the idea of “flattening the curve.”
A Salams date can wait!
Salams family, we are all in this together. Let us make sure we are doing what we need to do in order to lower the risk and spread of COVID-19. Many more people are at home which is resulting in an increase in activity on Salams, however, please be safe. If a conversation is going well on Salams and you want to meet, try to use platforms like zoom or facetime to have a virtual date as opposed to meeting in person. All across the world Muslims are delaying their weddings, so surely a date can wait.
Clarity in times of Confusion
Lastly, we want to leave you with something to reflect upon. As you may know, every Friday we Muslims are recommended to read Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave). For those who are not familiar with this surah, it is the 18th chapter of the Holy Quran. This chapter highlights a story of young men who fled their own city to avoid the trials, temptations and tribulations. They fled to a cave to seek protection in which then God put them to sleep and they woke up several years later. It was a blessing for these young men.
Fast forward to the Prophet Muhammad pbuh’s time in which he was also going to a cave to find clarity. The interesting thing about this is that the Prophet Muhammad pbuh despite his high status in the community at that time, he found a love for the seclusion that he was experiencing in the cave and he spent nights and weeks at a time in the cave alone. It was a time of great clarity for our Prophet Muhammad pbuh where he was able to cut much of the noise from the world out of his life.
Take this time of qurantine to find that clarity and inner peace. You may find that this entire crisis was a chance for you to come closer to God. Hopefully, this difficult time we are currently in will pass. May Allah open His doors of mercy upon us all.
