Update: Coronavirus, Isolation and Passing Time Indoors

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

 

We hope you are all in good health and Imaan, insha'Allah. In today's post we wanted to discuss how we are coping with the lifestyle changes we have had to make recently due to the Coronavirus outbreak. We are staying at home all the time and only our dad is going out to shop when necessary. Alhamdulillah we are feeling fine at the moment and we hope that you are all coping well too. It is more important than ever to take care of your health, mentally, physically and spiritually, during this time. That's why we've put together a list of some of the things we are doing/going to do to try to stay healthy, insha'Allah.

 

1. Eat Healthily

This is something we should all be doing anyway but especially now. We rarely order out in general, but we are choosing not to until this outbreak has passed, insha'Allah. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. A great way to get your five-a-day is to juice them or put them all in a smoothie. Here are a couple of recipes you might want to try out: Mango Smoothie and Green Smoothie.

2. Stretch & Exercise

Since many of us won't be going out and being as active as usual, it is important for us to stay fit at home. Even if you don't want to do a workout, try to stretch daily or several times a week. This will help strengthen your body and immune system, keeping you healthy, insha'Allah. There are many exercises you can do that do not require any equipment. Find a routine that best suits you and get started!

3. Do a Spring Clean

One thing we want to do is clean and de-clutter our whole house, and we encourage you to do the same. We know that this can sound a bit daunting, but our tip is to start with the room that needs the least amount of work. Once you get that room done, you should insha'Allah feel motivated to carry on.

4. Read Quran

Whether you're aiming to learn a new Surah or simply to revise what you already know, reading Quran is one of the best ways to relax and de-stress. Even just having it played in the background as you cook or clean is very calming and soothing.

5. Listen to Islamic Lectures

In Qatar all the mosques have been closed, and we've heard that this is happening in many places around the world. Obviously, this means that people were not able to attend Friday Khutbahs and prayers today. As sad as this is, we can still strengthen and boost our Imaan by listening to Islamic Lectures online. This is one of the many ways in which technology can come in useful!

6. Make Dua'a

It's at times like this when we may start to feel helpless, worried and stressed. Our daily routines have been disrupted and we are uncertain of what the future holds, but we must not despair. Wherever we are and whatever trial we are facing, we can always turn to Allah for guidance and comfort. He is the All Hearing, All Seeing, Most Merciful and Most Kind.

7. Read a Book

We all most likely have extra time on our hands and it is best if we use it wisely. While it is fine to spend some time watching TV, playing video games and scrolling through your phone, try to balance it with healthier, more productive pastimes such as reading. As any bookworm would know, there is nothing better than losing yourself in a good book.

8. Bake From Scratch

Whenever we bake we always do it from scratch, masha'Allah. It is healthier, tastes better and is a very rewarding and fun thing to do! We know that some people find baking from scratch difficult or time consuming, but we think everyone should give it a try some time. To help you get started, here are some simple recipes on our blog that we recommend you begin with: Chocolate Cupcakes, Shortbread Biscuits, Easy Peasy Orange Cake, Rock Buns and if you are not yet ready to use an oven then why not give our bake-free Date Energy Balls recipe a go.

9. Get Artistic

Alhamdulillah, this is something we have always done so it is quite natural for us. There are numerous ways in which you can get artistically creative. You could draw, paint, do a simple DIY craft, crochet or practice photography.

10. Write a Story or Journal

Recently, this has been our favourite pastime activity. We really enjoy writing stories from simple short ones to ones that require a lot of research and detailed planning. If story writing is not your cup of tea, perhaps you might prefer journaling or keeping a diary. Try putting pen to paper and seeing what you come up with!

 

We hope you have found these points helpful and that you give them a go, insha'Allah. We will leave on a positive note with two comforting ahadith:

Usamah ibn Sharik reported: A bedouin said, “O Messenger of Allah, shall we not seek treatment?”

The Prophet said, “Yes, O servants of Allah, seek treatment. Verily, Allah did not place a disease but that he also placed its treatment or cure, except for one ailment.”

They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is it?”

The Prophet said, “Old age.”

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2038

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Tirmidhi

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Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“This blackseed is healing for all diseases but poison.”

She said, “What is poison?”

The Prophet said, “Death.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5363
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari

Take care and stay safe.

Wassalam,