Feasting after fasting

Muslims all over the world will be celebrating the occasion of Eid on October 1:

By Panchamee HEWAVISSENTI

[email protected]

When the blessed month of Ramadhan arrives, it’s been made imperative upon all those who are believing in Allah to observe fast from Fajr (dawn) until Maghrib (sunset). Fasting in Ramadhan is a unique moral and spiritual attribute. The wisdom behind fasting is to get closer to Allah by attaining piety. It’s considered an act of worship that testifies to total submission and obedience. The hardships and pangs of hunger a believer endures during the period of this obligation is trifle when the noble objective of attaining Allah’s pleasure is taken into consideration which would be a great reward in the hereafter.

To fast in the blessed month of Ramadhan requires endurance and perseverance to a great deal unlike other ordinary days. Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-fitr as a sign of appreciation for Allah Subhanu Wa Ta’ala for providing them with the physical ability to endure hunger and thirst, to wake up early morning for Thahajjud prayer and keep vigil performing Tharaweeh prayers at night. And also to have Sahoor early morning and reciting Quran etc. Fasting is a divine gift for Muslims to uplift themselves in various aspects in life such as to improve their personal demeanours, attitudes, character and moral consciousness.

The feast of Eid-ul-fitr is a kind of appreciation and praise to Allah Subhanu Wa Ta’ala who gave that precious opportunity to His slaves. This is also a sign of praise to Almighty Allah who provided Muslims with the valuable opportunity to obliterate their sins and atone for them which were accumulated throughout the year. And of course, during Ramadhan, believers are steadfast to atone, for the faulty deeds they have done, through religious training programmes. Allah says in the Quran, “Indeed the right spiritual training is superior and better than any other type of training.” (73:6)

Eid: sign of unity

The Muslim Ummah belongs to Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala. So, each and every one of them in that community is a slave of the Almighty. Therefore there’s no differentiation in language, nationality or colour of the skin in slaves of Allah. The unity of the Muslim Ummah is explicitly exhibited during the month of Ramadhan; Muslims must fast and break fast at prescribed times. This is the unity in the Muslim Ummah which distinguishes it from other communities. No one is powerful enough to altar the fasting month from Ramadhan to any other, whether for convenience or for other reasons. No single Muslim is exempted from fasting on the basis of wealth, position, or status in society. Muslims all over the world are equal in the sight of Allah. There’s no leader in the world who can unite Muslims politically, socially or economically without teachings of Islam and without the concept of “La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah”. Islam is therefore the only binding force for Muslims to be brought together and to be closer to one another.

Time to reconcile

If there are any differences among the brethren of Islam, it is recommended that on the day of Eid, during the happy festivity, they would come together and reconcile their differences and try to love one another for the sake of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. And anyone who takes precedence to visit the other to ask forgiveness, it is he who would be rewarded more. There’re apparently differences among groups of Muslims. It is on the holy festivity of Eid that these groups should forget their differences because this is the occasion of happiness granted by Allah and they should find the means and methods to work together as one single Muslim community. There cannot be differences or clashes among Muslims as all of them are required to attain one goal- Jannah through working hard to please the creator - Almighty Allah. Eid calls for all Muslims to abolish their self-egos, selfishness, arrogance and self - interest. It should be for love of Allah. So that Muslims can stay together as one single Muslim community.

Rejoice and help

This holy occasion of Eid is an occasion of happiness; it is a time to rejoice and it is meant for those who enjoyed fasting during Ramadhan.

Eid is the time Muslims can rejoice more than any other day. A believer should bear in mind that when you’re rejoicing the festivity, there may be many who are deprived of advice, help, love and affection. One of the best ways to celebrate this holy festivity is to shower them with those easily available things. You need not have a capital for that. The ability of giving guidance, loving, caring, and showing affection are blessings of Allah for you. So, share them with your brethren!

Think about your neighbour. He may find it difficult to find his bread for the day, he may be a non Muslim. As a true believer who is celebrating the holy Eid, it is not appropriate for you to neglect your neighbour. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has urged Muslims to care for the neighbours in one of his Hadeeth. “He is not a believer who enjoys dinner and goes to sleep while his neighbour is hungry”.

Things to do on the day of Eid

There’s no fasting during the day of Eid. And Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said in one of his Hadeeth “Exchange gifts among yourselves so as to strengthen the bond among yourselves”. You do not have to spend a big amount of money over buying gifts. You can give even a simple gift to denote your affection. You can exchange Eid greeting cards as it would convey a tangible and memorable greeting. This is the day especially when children are gleeful. So, giving them gifts would make them happy and encourage to engage in religious activities.

Visiting one another is a good way of showing your affection and care for others. That would fill their hearts with affection and joy. Enjoy their hearty hospitality. And do not let the sick be isolated during these festive days. Paying the sick and old a visit would also help them in recovering faster through emotional healing.

You can arrange lunches and dinners and have them together in Sahans. Truly ,Eid is the time to get together to share the feelings of brethren of Islam.

While rejoicing, do not forget to visit graveyards to ponder over your hereafter and pray for the dead. Remember that Allah’s creations are perishable; so be steadfast in engaging in all what’s Halal and permitted by Allah. So, you will have no regrets in the hereafter. Also remember that one year of your life has passed since the last Ramadhan. So, submit to the will of Allah and tread in the path of Allah.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Eid Mubarak!