Celebrating Eid:

Brothers and sisters of one family

by Panchamee Hewavissenti

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh! Muslims all over the world are celebrating the occasion of Eid ul Fitr. The holy day of the Eid is really an occasion of happiness, it is a time to rejoice and this feast is meant for those who enjoyed fasting during the month of Ramadhaan.

This is based on the Prophet's(sal) words "O Muslims, this is our festival". We at the Sunday Observer would like to extend our sincerest wishes for Eid ul Fitr.

May Allah the Almighty bless and reward all those who fasted in the month of Ramadhaan, those who performed the Taraweeh prayers, those who recited the whole Quran during the month of Ramadhaan, those who observed Lailatul Qadr, those Muslims who invited other Muslims for Iftaar so they would be rewarded with their fast, those Muslims who woke up for Sahar, in order to be rewarded during that time, our beloved prophet Muhammed (sal) said "It is a Barakath (blessing) and a reward,for those who wake up for Sahar", those Muslims who paid Zakatul Fitr.

This feast is a sign of gratitude and appreciation to Allah(swt) who gave them the physical ability to endure hunger, thirst, the practices of Tahajjud and the Taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadhaan, and to wake up early before dawn, to have their Sahar, to recite the Holy Quran, and to perform their Fajr prayers on time.

Those who wish to gain the reward of one year of fasting can fast six days in the month of Shawwal. Those who didn't pay Fitra should pay immediately now. You can exchange gifts among yourselves so as to show your affection to each other.

You can visit your neighbours, friends on the day of Eid. It's a very good thing if you can visit the sick on Eid day.

Try to visit grave yards and pray for the dead. You can arrange Eid lunches, Eid dinners and serve in Sahans and consume food in order to strengthen the closeness among Muslims. Make children happy on Eid days and give them gifts.

You can send Eid greeting cards to your friends. Eid ul Fitr is a kind of appreciation and is a kind of praise to Allah, who gave the Muslims the opportunity to improve themselves, their personal behaviour, their character, their attitude and their moral consciousness.

Allah said that in the Quran. "O, you who believe, fasting in the month of Ramadhaan was prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self restraint (Taqwa)" 2:183)

And it is also the time to thank Almighty Allah who gave Muslims the opportunity to obliterate their sins and to atone for their mistakes which were accumulating through the whole year. And this is the time during the month of Ramadhaan when Muslims try their best to atone for their sins as much as possible.

For this reason Muslims go through a rigorous training program during the period of fasting. Allah says that in His glorious book "Indeed the night spiritual training is superior and better than any other type of training" (73:6).

We should be thankful to Allah on, Who gave Muslims an opportunity to realize themselves, to re-identify and associate themselves with the Muslim Ummah, so as to have integrity, dignity, and solidarity. Allah said in the Quran "Indeed, this nation (Ummah) of yours is one nation and I am your Lord so worship Me" (21:92).

A sign of the unity of the Muslim Ummah throughout the whole world under the banner of La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadun Rasulullah is proved well in Ramadhaan and the festival is to celebrate that unity.

All muslims must fast during the month of Ramadhaan at the prescribed time as well, no one can begin his fast after dawn break and no one can break the fast before sun set. This is the unity of Muslims and no Muslim can move the fast month from Ramadhaan to any other month of the year.

No single Muslim is exempted from the fasting of Ramadhaan on the basis of his wealth or for his position, or for his status in society. Muslims all over the world are equal in the sight of Allah.

Let me emphasize here that there is no Muslim in the world who can unite the Muslims politically, economically or socially without teachings of Islam. Islam is the only binding force for the Muslims to be brought together and to be closer to each other as mentioned in the Quran "And remember with gratitude God's favour on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His grace, you became brethren" (3:103).

On the day of Eid we pray altogether in one place, at one time, in one day. Of course this is a sign of unity of the Muslims. We are lucky enough that Islam abolished all kinds of barriers between Muslims as our beloved prophet (sal) said "All of you belong to Adam and Adam is from soil. There is no difference between an Arab and a non Arab nor between white or black except through piety and good deeds".

If there be any difference between one Muslim and another, for one reason or another, it is recommended that during the festivity, they would come together and reconcile their differences and love each other in the name of Allah.

And anyone who comes first to the other to ask forgiveness, it is he who will be rewarded more. If there be any differences between groups of Muslims, it is the Eid day that these groups should forget their differences because this is the occasion of Eid, this is the occasion of happiness, and they should find the means and the methods to work together as one single Muslim community under the logo of La Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadun rasulullah(sal).

Since we are Muslims, we should have the concept very clearly in our minds and we must have this slogan - We are Muslims first, We are Muslims last and We are Muslims forever. Because our religion is Islam, our nationality is Islam,our country is Islam and this world belongs to our creator Allah alone.

We are not to be called Sri Lankan Muslims, Malay Muslims, Bahai Muslims, Bora Muslims, Moors, Memans or Arab Muslims, American Muslims or African Muslims or British Muslims.

When you're rejoicing during the festivity of Eid, remember that there may be many Muslims in your vicinity who need your help, love, advice and affection. There are millions of Muslims all over the world who need your help, support, advice and services.

Even your own neighbours, if they are Muslims or not, do need your support and help. The prophet(sal) said in a Hadith about caring for our neighbours "He is not a believer who enjoys dinner and goes to sleep while his neighbour is hungry".

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, remember on this special day that we all are brothers and sisters in one family which descend from Adam, created by Allah. Also remember that one year of your age is over and that you have to improve yourself a lot. May Allah forgive all our sins.. Inshaallah...!

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