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HAPPY
EID |
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As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end the joyful time of Eid dawns upon us. Eid is the Arabic for celebrations or festivity and twice a year Muslims from all walks of life commemorate and rejoice Allah’s greatness and glory. For Eid is not only a time to partake in festive meals, dress in the best of clothing and receive gifts and sweets. But it is also a time to be thankful and appreciative for all of Allah’s bounties and for the countless blessings Allah has bestowed upon us.
As the greetings of “Eid Mubarak” are exchanged between brothers and sisters, family and friends, and the glorification to Allah is being recited, all Muslims young and old, male and female, gather in their best clothing to praise Allah. This is a sunnah, or practice, of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as he encouraged everyone to dress in the best of clothing on Eid and come together to offer and attend the Eid prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions would always gather the people including women, children and the elderly to participate in the Eid congregation prayer and celebrate Eid together. Prior to the Eid prayer, the glorification of Allah is recited by from sunrise to when the actual prayer commences, thanking Allah for his endless mercy and bounty. Eid is also a time to visit family and friends and come together to rejoice Allah’s blessings. Many families have different ways of celebrating, many gather together to enjoy festive meals and enjoy each other’s company. It is also common for children to receive money, gifts and sweets; this is done as an act of love and generosity. There are also Eid festivals and fun parks held to join in the celebrations and bring unity within the community by sharing the spirit of Eid.
The second Eid is Eid-ul-Adha, or the celebration of sacrifice, which falls on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Eid-ul-Adha not only celebrates the culmination of Hajj at the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca, but it also celebrates the story of Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice, where his faith was tested when he was asked by Allah to sacrifice his son Ismail. Prophet Abraham obeyed Allah’s command as he was a devoted Muslim, but in the end it was an animal that Prophet Abraham had slaughtered, not his son. This has come to signify the spirit of devotion and sacrifice for Allah. Prophet Abraham’s story is an example for all Muslims today and one of the reasons why we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. It is an obligation to sacrifice an animal, such as a goat or a sheep, on this particular Eid to symbolise Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice. The meat of the animal is then distributed to the poor and shared amongst family and friends, displaying the nature of giving which is central to Islam. Whether young, old, male or female, Eid is an occasion that every Muslim anticipates with joy and excitement. It is a time to reflect upon Allah’s blessings and share the happiness and spirit of Eid amongst brothers, sisters, family and friends. By Samah Hadid References: |
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