Topics

AUG 2014-Celebration and Religion

 

History of human civilizations tells us that every nation fixes a day or two in a year and celebrate them with happiness and joy. Although temporarily, moments of joy and happiness help them get rid of all worries. The Buddhists celebrate Vesak in May. This is Buddha’s birthday and as per traditions, this is the day he attained Nirvana. At the age of 35, he attained Nirvana and at the age of 80, he died. The Buddhists call it “Parinirvana”. It is said that there is another festival called Magh Pooja which is celebrated at full moon in the month of March.

Hindus celebrate Holi which is a sacred and popular festival. On this day, the Hindus throw colours on each other and drink a local sedative {Bhang).

Diwali is celebrated on 15th of Hindu month Kartika to remember Hindu god kartikeya. On Diwali, Hindus bathe in a river or pond and wear new clothes. They lighten lamps and worship Lakshmi. They believe that if they win the gamble on the night of Diwali, they will keep winning the whole year. Diwali is also celebrated to mark the killing of devil Narakasura by the wife of Krishna.

Christmas is celebrated to mark the birthday of Christ. In the 4th century, the Western Church marked 25 December as the date of Christmas. After a while, the Eastern Christianity also accepted this date as Christmas.

Jews celebrate a festival named Purim which is celebrated to mark the deliverance from wicked Haman. Yet another festival named Passover is celebrated to mark deliverance of Israelites from Egypt.

Nowruz is Zoroastrian day which is celebrated on 20 or 21 March.

Before Islam, the Arabs would organize a day of celebrations. They would sing and dance, use sedatives and indulge in other indecent activities. The Prophet (PBUH) retained festivals but conditioned celebrations on these festivals with the will of Allah. When we think about the rationale behind Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha, we conclude  that  Islamic  congregations  are organized

 

 not only for celebrations but also for taking care of the weak, maintain cleanliness, use fragrance and display solidarity and unity. The congregations of Eid are meant to embrace each other, eat together, show generosity, and host sincerely. We are required to recall that Allah is the greatest. He is the owner of everything visible and concealed. All praise is for Allah who provides His servants with everything.

On Eid ul Fitr we thank God that He enabled us to perform the duties whose reward is Allah’s goodwill.

My children,

Allah likes when His servants think about His various creations, act on the advice of the elders and teaching of the Prophets. On Eid ul Fitr, Satanic actions are abandoned and Allah is thanked by acting upon His injunctions.

Although Islamic month starts by sighting of moon, the enthusiasm of people for sighting Ramadan moon is something very unique. People gather at an open space and try to locate moon in the sky and suddenly somebody cries “here it is” and everyone sees in the direction of the finger of the one who sighted it first.

At home, housewives avidly await news of moon sighting. As soon as news is broken, faces get brightened, preparations for Eid begin. Houses are cleaned and decorated. Girls and women make bangle sets and decorate their palms with henna tattoos.

People sitting in Eitkaaf return from mosques and friends and relatives stand outside mosques with flowers. Consumers throng markets. Night passes very quickly and Eid day starts.

Do not forget to give children their Eidi as children await Eidi on Eid. They calculate their Eidi before it is given. Eidi lightens the faces of children. Eid is the day to extend assistance to widows, poor and orphans. Allah likes His servants giving Fitra. This Sadaqa helps poor people celebrate Eid.

The Eid congregation practically depicts Quranic Ayah, “hold the rope of Allah and do not fight with each other.” All the Muslims, poor or rich, stand by each other and offer prayers, embrace each other and shake hand. They pray for each other’s peace and prosperity, buy children colourful balloons. Children return home with these balloons and enjoy flying them. All become one under the deep cover of solidarity, brotherhood and closeness.

We drew a sketch of festivals celebrated in many nations. One can easily judge that in Islam even celebrations are connected with Allah’s will.

Eid Mubarak to all human beings.

 

Allah Hafiz

Topics


MESSAGE OF THE DAY

KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DIN AZEEMI


Articles of 'MESSAGE OF THE DAY' from Qalandar Shaoor Monthly