The “Hajar Moment” and Finding Happiness In The World Of Covid19

As the world continue to battle the corona virus, there seems to be no end to the pandemic in sight. Parents are feeling a combination of dread, panic and sheer exhaustion as kids start going back to school. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the hajj rituals. Reflecting on Sa’ee and mostly about Hajar (RA). Her moments of desperation, struggle, uncertainty, and fear as a mother. The “Hajar moment”! Then again about her taqwa as she clutched onto her infant whilst staring at the empty desert as Ibrahim (AS) left as Allah swt asked him to. And how Allah swt fulfilled His promise and honored her. Also, how thousands of years later, we give up everything to go to Makkah and imitate her, run between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and quench our thirsts with Zamzam. And will be doing so until the end of the world.

There are moments in all our lives where we are faced with a “Hajar moment”. I have most certainly felt it. A moment of despair, loneliness, uncertainty. Oh how my plights of having some family members to come and help me a little failed miserably, and those days when my frail body failed me over and over as I clutched onto my infant. And the horrible horrible postpartum depression which went unnoticed and lingered for more than 4-5years. Those were the moments!

Now I’m finally beginning to understand the turning points and how Allah swt made me stronger because of those moments. Just as He took care of Hajar(RA) in a beautiful way, He took care of me at every turn and in ways I can’t even comprehend.

“So lose not heart nor despair…”
(Quran 3:139)

So many are being tested and going through the “Hajar moment” in the midst of this COVID19 pandemic. With kids back to school and virtual learning, already overwhelmed parents are even more stressed out. During such trying times, the idea of cultivating happiness might seem trivial – even selfish – but it might just be more important now than ever before. It is also a time when we can learn even more from Hajar (RA).

Hajar (RA) overcame, what looks like a hopeless situation, with complete trust and reliance in Allah swt. We can find happiness in our daily life by equipping ourselves with Hope like Hajar(RA) and follow the lessons she leaves behind –

1. Only Allah has full wisdom of all things
2. Have tawakkul upon Allah and be optimistic
3. Your patience will be rewarded
4. You are not alone. Be conscious of Allah swt, Have Taqwa
5. Make Dua

Allah swt’s promise is available for all of us. We just have to have sabr(patience) and trust that He is testing us only to make us better than who we were. He in his infinite wisdom knows the reason why we needed this pandemic in 2020 and He will get us through.

Have you ever felt like you are faced with a hajar moment before Allah’s generous blessings covered you? How did you come out of it stronger than ever?

P.S. If you like this article, you may also like Gratitude In Islam.