IT would be a severe understatement to say this Ramadan is very different from all previous ones.

What’s with the lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, our central social and religious activities, normally undertaken communally at mosques, surau and elsewhere, are now suspended.

However, if we take our core religious values and commitments to heart, independent of rituals, circumstances and places of worship, we should be able to adapt to the current reality. This challenge is not unique to our faith. We should be comforted by the fact that Islam prevailed over many such tribulations in the past, from deadly plagues and barbaric Mongol invasions to the messianic secularism of Ataturk and the brutal despotism of Stalin.

We will get through this, Inshaallah.

For those fascinated with numbers and happenstance, there is much to celebrate this Ramadan. It is a rare one with five Fridays, and also in Year 1441 of the Hijrah. Note the symmetry of that number.

Our small Muslim community in Morgan Hill, California, continues to adapt to this new normal through the enlightened spiritual leadership of our Imam Ilyas. We acted pre-emptively by closing our masjid ahead of the statewide lockdown.

Every Friday at 1pm, about the time of the Zuhur prayer, our imam would go on live video to deliver his talk to members of our congregation. We are careful not to label it a sermon as it is not associated with our regular congregational prayer, but the essence and intent remain the same – uplifting message for and active (albeit virtual) engagement with our members.

Likewise with this Ramadan. Every evening, our imam will recite the Quran on a live podcast, and our congregation will follow along. Again, we are careful not to label it as terawih, but the essence and intent are the same – to seek guidance and inspiration from our holy book.

Indications are that our imam will also have to deliver what otherwise would be his Eid sermon in the same virtual manner.

It is no surprise that our community, located as we are at the southern tip of Silicon Valley, and with many of our members engaged in the industry, has taken to this digital revolution with relative ease.

After each one of these online sessions, I thank the pioneers and engineers who made possible this wonderful medium. The same technology enables me to celebrate with my granddaughter, who is thousands of kilometres across the Pacific, on her birthday.

More poignantly, it is software like Facetime and hardware like smartphones that make it possible for many to bid their last farewell to their loved ones afflicted with Covid-19, prevented as they are to be by the bedside.

I do not know whether those chip engineers and software designers are religious, but I am certain that Allah has a special place in heaven for them. If, as a hadith has it, a man was admitted to heaven for removing a nail from a path, thus saving others from possible injury, likewise, those ingenious engineers who enable me to listen to my imam and converse with my granddaughter should also be deserving of such divine favours.

I say this to counter the tendency among many Muslim intellectuals and other religious types to belittle, or even ridicule, these modern Western innovations. And yet, they use them with enthusiasm, without ever giving a thought, much less express gratitude, to those who made the said innovations possible.

Knowledge is knowledge, with no artificial differentiation between religious and secular. This “Islamisation of knowledge” fad to assert that there is a uniquely “Islamic” variant is folly. It is but a massive intellectual fraud perpetrated upon the ummah.

Minister in charge of religious affairs Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri reminds us to be thankful and positive in spirit this Ramadan.

“Someone, somewhere right now is fighting for his or her life. We still have ours, so be thankful and spend it in obedience of Allah.”

That was the theme of his Madrasah Ramadan message.

He also has a special message for the selfless, tireless front-line workers. If they find it hard to fast, it is harus (leeway provided) for them to break it, so that their focus on and ability to treat the sick is not compromised.

As a surgeon, I know how exhausting it can be to attend to the sick. On more than one occasion, I’ve had to break my fast. I did so without regret or hesitation. My patients’ needs come ahead of my personal salvation.

That advice from former mufti Zulkifli is wise, timely and practical. As he reminded all, Ramadan is a month of charity. I cannot think of a more charitable deed than to be of service to your fellow human beings, more so, when they need it most. In these trying times of Covid-19, there are many in such desperate state. Our zakat is never more precious and needed than now. Please give generously, and make this Ramadan special for them and us.

Ultimately, that is the mark of devoted Muslims – how well we serve our fellow man, not how rhythmic our ratib is. Likewise, a true Muslim leader is one who brings justice, peace and prosperity to the people; it’s not based on how overflowing his robe is, or how eloquent his sermon.

May this blessed Ramadan bring peace, prosperity, and most of all, good health to you and yours. Keep safe. – April 24, 2020.

* M. Bakri Musa reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.