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Festivals are celebrated in every religion with their
traditions and cultural values. Traditions are rituals and ethics which evolve
a society. Diversity in rituals reflects the identity of one group of people or
nation from another.
Traditions of a nation are mirrored in the celebration
of their festive. There may be a difference in how people enjoy during
festivals, but essentially it reflects happiness. Celebration of practices are
an expression of their ancestor' s rituals.
It is said, the first ever festival celebrated by the
mankind is the occasion of absolution of Prophet Adam (PBUH). The followers of
Prophet Noah (PBUH) bowed for the Great flood of Noah ended. Later on, same day
is celebrated as festival. People of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) celebrate the eve
when fire became peace for him. When Prophet Abraham's (PBUH) act of slaughter
was acknowledged by Allah, same day is practiced as a festive of Eid Al Adha.
People of Prophet Jonah (PBUH) celebrate the event of his freedom from
captivity of fish. Jews celebrate Eid Al Fasah, it is the day of freedom for
Bani Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh.
Christians celebrate the birth of Prophet Jesus
(PBUH). Diwali and Holi are two largest celebrations in Hindus. At the occasion
of Diwali, people decorate the streets, while Holi is celebrated with throwing
colours on each other. Parsi community celebrates Nowruz. The demise of Buddha
is celebrated as festival among the Buddhists because death concludes the journey
of life towards eternity. Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi and Guru Nanak Jayanti as
the largest festivals. Spring festival is celebrated among Chinese and
considered as the largest event.
The celebration of Eid festivals begins after two
years of Hijra, also called After Hijra (AH).
Hazrat Anas (RA) narrated an instance when prophet of
Islam (PBUH) asked about the root cause of two festivals, celebrated by the
people of Medina. The natives explained the ancestral linkages to the event. He
(PBUH) told them that Allah has glorified two days for their celebration that
is Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr. (Sunan Abi Dawud)
Eid Al Adhaan event of celebration, when Abraham
(PBUH) and his son Ishmael (PBUH) set a finest instance of sacrifice. The
essence of tradition is to remind everyone to sacrifice one's own most precious
thing in the name of Allah.
Eid Al Fitr- an event of celebration, when one is
revealed upon the Layla Al Qadr. Allah said,
"We have sent it (the Qur'an) down in the Night
of Qadr. And what may let you know what the Night of Qadr is?The Night of Qadr
is much better than one thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend in
it, with the leave of your Lord, along with every command. Peace it is till the
debut of dawn ." (Quran, 97:1-5)
The divinity and virtue of Eid Al Fitr is a
commendable, when collective efforts are exercised for internal cleansings. A
man is engaged in a punctual activity for thirty days and nights, invokes the
real man or Insan. These activities are punctuality of time, decrease in food
and sleep, hospitality during sehar or aftar, and thinking of Allah in
coordinated actions.
The mental faculties are expedited up to seventy
thousand time, when a real man or Insan is invoked out of a man. It enables
observation and communication with angels, eventually embraces angel Gabriel.
This is an instance of celebration as Eid, when individually and collectively
peace is achieved.
Prophet (PBUH) said, "People who awake during
Layla Al Qadr for the nearness to Allah, embrace angel Gabriel. It is indeed a
great blessing"
Eid is derived from Oadh, it means to return or be
happy. Shaikh Akbar lbn Arabi (RA) said, it is a day which returns every year
with a fresh essence of happiness and rejoice.
The word Eid has appeared in Koran with reference to
Jesus (PBUH) pray to Allah. When he (PBUH) desired food (نزول مائدہ) for his (PBUH) disciples.
"O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a repast from
heaven which may be a happy occasion for us, for all our generations present
and future, and a sign from You, and give us provisions. You are the best Giver
of Provisions.. " (Quran, 5:114)
The gist of Eid in all religions is to celebrate
happiness of blessing and salvation before Allah.
At the occasion of Eid, wearing nice clothes and
perfume, give alms as Fitra , eating with people , pray on the graves of
relatives are the acts performed by prophet (PBUH). People embrace each other
open heartedly, without any malevolence towards each other- showers happiness
in the atmosphere.
We should be generous to poor, destitute, needy,
homeless, and widows; so that they don't feel inferior. Whether poor or rich ,
everyone should have sense of contentment.
Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (RA) had a servant, who
used to steal money and run away. The moment he got penniless, he always came
back to Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (RA).
Once this servant ran away and Eid festival was about
to come.
Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (RA) was worried about
him on Eid day, and said, "Who knows, ifhe has dressed Eid clothes? How is
he living?"
Hazrat Sari Saqati (RA) narrated an event over Eid, he
saw his teacher Hazrat Maroof Karkhi (RA) collecting dates. He asked him, why
he is collecting them?
Hazrat Maroof Karkhi (RA) pointed to a nearby child
and said, "I saw him crying and asked why he is crying. Child said, I have
no parents and today is Eid, everyone has dressed new clothes and I don't have
any".
Insha Allah child will dress new clothes.
Hazrat Sari Saqati (RA) said, he took child to a
garment shop and bought him new clothes. This act illuminated his heart, which
overwhelmed him completely.
Ladies and gentlemen- when following Ramadan with
unity, synergy and well determination illuminates upon us a world beyond
percept.
"On the day of Eid, angels wait on the way to
prayer place or Eid Gah and utter, o people of Allah go towards the Caretaker who
blesses you for a greater reward. He told you to worship. You kept steadfast
for Him, kept fasting and abided by the Caretaker. Indeed, you are eligible for
reward."
After the Eid pray, angels proclaim, "Be
informed, your Caretaker has rewarded you and you return back to your home with
honor."
Dear friends, elders, youngsters and children,
heartiest felicitation of Eid Mubarak!
May Allah bless me and you to serve His being- Amen.
It is requested to pray Eid along children and on way
back from Eid Gah
buy them balloons on behalf of me. I accept with gratitude.
Allah Hafiz
JULY 2017-QSM
