Topics
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
